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Australia salvage draw in first Test against Pakistan

Led by a brilliant Usman Khawaja century, Australia holds on for a draw against Pakistan. But there was drama aplenty.

15 min read
4:23PMOctober 11, 2018.
Updated 1:08PMOctober 12, 2018
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Australia's Usman Khawaja celebrates his second innings century against Pakistan in Dubai. Photo: AP
Australia's Usman Khawaja celebrates his second innings century against Pakistan in Dubai. Photo: AP

FIRST TEST — match drawn: Pakistan 482 and 6-181 dec; Australia 202 and 8-362

Australia has clung on for a valiant draw in the first Test against Pakistan, grinding out a record-breaking day-five fightback in Dubai led by Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine.

Chasing a world-record 462 to win, the tourists survived 140 overs — an unprecedented effort for a draw by Australia in Test match history — to finish on 8-362, with skipper Paine unbeaten on 61 and Nathan Lyon five not out.

A valiant Khawaja dug in for eight hours and 44 minutes, scoring 141 off 302 balls in the second-longest knock ever in the fourth innings of a Test. Paine survived 194 balls and shepherded Australia brilliantly during a perilous final hour last night which began with ace legspinner Yasir Shah snaring three quick wickets.

Nathan Lyon (left) gives Australian captain Tim Paine a pat on the back after the pair remained unbeaten to snare a draw against Pakistan. Photo: Getty Images
Nathan Lyon (left) gives Australian captain Tim Paine a pat on the back after the pair remained unbeaten to snare a draw against Pakistan. Photo: Getty Images

With the pressure mounting, Paine calmly kept the strike during an intense final over from Yasir in which he was surrounded by Pakistani fielders. Khawaja also scored a determined 85 in the first innings, spending almost 13 hours at the crease in total.

The 31-year-old gazed to the sky and appeared to be overcome with relief as wife Rachel cried in the stands after bringing up his century shortly after lunch. The Queensland batsman’s maiden Test century in Asia came to an end midway through the final session, the left-hander given out lbw while attempting to sweep Yasir.

Khawaja called for a review but replays confirmed the umpire’s decision.

Yasir struck twice in his following over, dismissing Mitchell Starc (1) after Babar Azam took a spectacular one-handed diving catch at bat pad. He then trapped Peter Siddle in front of the stumps for a duck bringing Nathan Lyon (5), who steered Australia home safely alongside Paine, to the crease. Pakistan earlier squandered their last remaining review on an appeal for lbw against Paine from paceman Mohammad Abbas, but replays showed a thick inside- edge onto Paine’s pads.

Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah (right) celebrates the wicket of Usman Khawaja. Photo: AFP
Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah (right) celebrates the wicket of Usman Khawaja. Photo: AFP

Missing suspended trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, Australia will take plenty of positives from the start of their new era under Paine and coach Justin Langer.

Aaron Finch fell just short of making half-centuries in both innings while fellow debutant Travis Head scored 72 in the second dig.

Marnus Labuschagne failed to get among the runs in his maiden Test but took crucial wickets with his part-time legspin and impressed in the field. Dropped catches, missed run-out opportunities and some loose bowling combined to frustrate Pakistan during the first two sessions with skipper Sarfraz Ahmed angrily admonishing left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz at one point. The hosts also suffered an injury blow with opener Imam-ul-Haq ruled out for the second Test after fracturing his pinky finger while diving in the field.

Khawaja’s determined knock came after Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh and Mitch Marsh all fell without Australia adding to their score late on Wednesday.

Travis Head was lucky to survive this LBW appeal, which wasn’t reviewed by Pakistan. Photo: Fox Cricket
Travis Head was lucky to survive this LBW appeal, which wasn’t reviewed by Pakistan. Photo: Fox Cricket

Australia were given an early reprieve on Thursday courtesy of a shocking umpiring call when Head was trapped in front on 44 by Yasir. Head was given not out and Sarfraz decided against a review but replays showed he was plumb.

Khawaja survived a run-out scare after reaching his century and was also dropped in the slips of Yasir’s bowling late on day four.

FIRST TEST, PAKISTAN vs AUSTRALIA
Pakistan 482 (Mohammad Hafeez 126, Haris Sohail 110, Asad Shafiq 80, Imam-ul-Haq 76; Peter Siddle 3-58) and 181-6 declared (Imam-ul Haq 48; Jon Holland 3-83), drew with Australia 202 (Usman Khawaja 85, Aaron Finch 62; Bilal Asif 6-36, Mohammad Abbas 4-29) and 362-8 (Usman Khawaja 141, Travis Head 72, Tim Paine 61 not out; Yasir Shah 4-114, Mohammad Abbas 3-56).

AAP

Daniel Sankey 12.24am: Brave Aussies salvage draw

Led by a brilliant 141 from Usman Khawaja and a fighting half century from Tim Paine, Australia has stolen an against-the-odds draw in a match that looked all-but-over after day two.

However, there was drama aplenty late on day five, with Yasir Shah dismissing Khawaja then snaring the quick wickets of Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle to leave Australia reeling at 8-333 with 13 overs remaining.

Paine (61 not out from 1 deliveries) and off-spinner Nathan Lyon (5 not out from 34 deliveries) held on in the face of some outstanding Shah bowling to deny Pakistan victory.

Australia finished the day on 8-362, 99 runs behind Pakistan — but they’ll feel as though they’ve won the Test such was their predicament after being bowled out for 202 in their first innings, chasing Pakistan’s mammoth first innings total of 482.

Daniel Sankey 12.15am: Two overs remaining

Tim Paine (57 not out) and Nathan Lyon (3 not out) are holding on. There’s just two overs left in the match. Off-spinner Bilal Asif (0-85) will bowl the first of them, with Yasir Shah (4-110)

Daniel Sankey 12.03am: Five overs remaining

Five overs, or just 30 legal deliveries, remain in the day’s play. Tim Paine (57 not out) and Nathan Lyon (3 not out) are doing a terrific job up against some fine bowling from leg-spinner Yasir Shah and swing bowler Mohammad Abbas.

Paine was lucky to survive in the previous Abbas over when an inside edge just missed his leg stump.

Daniel Sankey 11.52pm: 50 up for Paine

Tim Paine has brought up his 50 with a sublime cut hot off the bowling of Yasir Shah. He only briefly acknowledged the applause from the crowd before getting his mind back on the job of trying to bat out the day for a draw.

Paine’s 50 came from 171 deliveries, with four boundaries.

Daniel Sankey 11.50pm: Eight overs left for Australia

Just eight overs remain in the First Test, and Australia’s Tim Paine (47 not out) and Nathan Lyon (0 not out from 13 deliveries) are fighting hard to salvage a draw.

With Australia at 8-339, Pakistan need just two wickets for victory, whereas Australia needs only survive 48 deliveries to deny them.

Yasir Shah is about to bowl his 41st over. He’s been tremendous in this final session, snaring 4-106 including the vital wicket of Usman Khawaja, who fell for a brilliant 141.

Neither team has a review remaining.

Daniel Sankey 11.34pm: Double wicket blow for Australia

Pakistan has seized the initiative late on day five of the First Test against Australia, with Yasir Shah claiming another two quick wickets to leave the tourists reeling at 8-333.

First, Shah had Mitchell Starc caught at short leg for 1 courtesy of a brilliant reflex catch by Babar Azam.

Then he had Peter Siddle trapped LBW for a duck off a delivery that skidded on.

Tim Paine (41 not out) and the new man at the crease, Nathan Lyon, now have 13 overs to negotiate to steal a draw for Australia — but the way Shah is bowling right now, this could be over in a matter of minutes.

Daniel Sankey 11.26pm: WICKET! Khawaja goes for 141

A massive blow for Australia as we approach the final half hour of play in the First Test, with Usman Khawaja trapped LBW by Yasir Shah for a brilliant 141 (302 deliveries).

Khawaja attempted to sweep a ball that pitched outside off stump, but he failed to get any bat on it and it struck him in line with off stump. Khawaja used Australia’s final review to challenge the out call, but replays showed it was the correct decision.

With just under 40 minutes remaining in today’s play, responsibility now falls onto the shoulders of captain Tim Paine (40 not out) to steer Australia home with the bowlers. Mitchell Starc is the new man to the crease, with Australia at 6-331.

Ball tracking on Usman Khawaja's dismissal. Photo: Fox Cricket
Ball tracking on Usman Khawaja's dismissal. Photo: Fox Cricket

Daniel Sankey 11.05pm: The heat is on in Dubai

When you see just how oppressive the conditions are at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, it helps to put in perspective just how good Usman Khawaja has been in this Test match.

He’s been on the field for the entire five days, save around 20 overs when Australia lost 10-60 to be bowled out for 202.

The temperature in Dubai right now as Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine attempt to bat Australia to a draw against Pakistan.
The temperature in Dubai right now as Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine attempt to bat Australia to a draw against Pakistan.

Now with less than an hour’s play remaining in the Test, Khawaja has the opportunity to earn a draw from his team when must pundits for the past two days have been questioning just how much Australia would lose by.

After 123 overs, Australia is 5-330 with Khawaja 140 not out (298 deliveries) and Tim Paine 40 not out (139 deliveries).

Daniel Sankey 10.56pm: You and me both, Alyssa

Well, minus the chocolate that is...

Daniel Sankey 10.50pm: Pakistan burns final review

Desperate for a breakthrough, Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has used up his team’s second and final review on an LBW appeal that got a clear inside edge before striking Tim Paine’s back pad.

Ahmed and off-spinner Bilal Asif conferred for some time before eventually opting to review the not out decision from umpire Richard Kettleborough.

It took just one replay for the third umpire

After 119 overs, Australia are 5-323, with Usman Khawaja on 138 not out and Paine on 35 not out. Australia now needs to survive just 70 more minutes to earn an unlikely draw.

Daniel Sankey 10.28pm: Hundred up ... for Shah

Well done to the Aussie wags in the crowd at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, who were obviously keeping a close eye on the scoreboard when Yasir Shah conceded his 100th run of the innings.

“Well bowled, that’s a hundred,” one man with a distinct Australian accent could be heard saying.

After 35 overs, Shah has 1-105. Australia is 5-218 with Usman Khawaja on 136 not out — already the highest score by an Australian in a second innings in Asia — and Tim Paine on 32 not out.

Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah. Photo: AFP
Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah. Photo: AFP

Daniel Sankey 10.18pm: 50 partnership for Paine, Khawaja

Tim Paine clips a Wahab Riaz delivery off his pads to the square leg boundary, and that brings up the 50 partnership. Both Paine and Usman Khawaja have looked solid following the resumption after the tea break, taking the score to 5-304.

Khawaja is on 128 not out and Paine is 27 not out.

10.04pm: We’re back underway...

Daniel Sankey 9.41pm: Khawaja, Paine fight to tea

The equation is simple ... Australia has two hours left to bat to salvage a draw, while Pakistan needs five wickets.

Centurymaker Usman Khawaja and captain Tim Paine have steered Australia safely to the tea break, the tourists at 5-289 heading into the final session and trailing Pakistan by 172 runs.

Khawaja, who’s batted beautifully throughout this entire Test match (he made 85 in the first innings), has moved to 122 not out from 268 deliveries. His one moment of nervousness came about half an hour before the tea break, when he would have been run out with a direct hit at the non-striker’s end.

After playing and missing several times during an inspired spell of bowling by Yasir Shah, Paine has looked more solid as his innings has progressed. He’s now 19 not out from 83 deliveries.

The wickets to fall today are Travis Head, trapped LBW by Mohammad Hafeez for 72 (175) and fellow debutant Marnus Labuschagne, dismissed LBW by Shah for 13 (24).

Daniel Sankey 9.24pm: Gotta love the Pakistan fans...

Who wouldn’t want to meet Rameez Raja?

Daniel Sankey 9.10pm: Paine, Khawaja settle in

With 30 minutes before the tea break, Australian captain Tim Paine appears to have overcome some early nerves and is settling in to try to help Usman Khawaja save the Test.

A minimum of 40 overs remain in today’s play, with the Aussies 5-275 and trailing Pakistan by 186 runs. A victory looks nigh on impossible for the tourists, but if Paine (16 not out off 44 deliveries) and Khawaja (111 not out off 253) can survive until tea, there’s every chance Australia could scramble to an unlikely draw.

Will Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed regret his decision to not enforce the follow-on? At the very least, he may well be ruing not telling his batsmen to lift the run-rate sooner than they did yesterday. Pakistan’s second innings total of 6 declared for 181 came from 57.5 overs ... a run rate of just over three an over, even though they had a lead of 280 on the first innings.

Daniel Sankey 8.49pm: Secret to Pakistan’s success

Usman Khawaja and Travis Head were able to survive the entire first session without losing their wickets, but it’s been a different story after lunch, with Head and Marnus Labuschagne falling.

While swing bowler Mohammad Abbas was the destroyer yesterday, today it’s been off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez and leg-spinner Yasir Shah who’ve done the damage.

Cricket analysts CricViz point out that the strategy seems to have changed after lunch, with Pakistan’s spinners attacking the stumps and forcing the Australian batsman to play more deliveries.

Daniel Sankey 8.37pm: Who said...

...Usman Khawaja couldn’t bat in Asia?

Daniel Sankey 8.19pm: WICKET! Shah snares Labuschagne

Australian debutant Marnus Labuschagne has departed, trapped LBW by Yasir Shah for 13 (23 deliveries).

It was good bowling from Shah, who darted in a faster, flatter delivery that got Labuschagne on the back foot, striking him on the roll directly in front of middle stump.

Labuschagne looked to Khawaja to see whether the LBW decision should be reviewed, but was quickly told there was little point. The replay showed the ball was hitting middle and off stump about two-thirds up.

Australia is now 5-252, still trailing Pakistan by 209 runs. Khawaja is 104 not out and the new batsman at the crease is Australian captain Tim Paine.

Daniel Sankey 8.09pm: Khawaja notches his century

An outstanding moment for Usman Khawaja, who brings up his century with a neat flick off his legs off the bowling of Mohammad Hafeez.

The Queenslander’s century came from 224 deliveries and featured 10 fours. It’s his first Test century outside Australia and the seventh of his career, in which he averages better than 42.

Australia are now 4-239, with Khawaja 100 not out and all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne on 4 not out.

Daniel Sankey 7.42pm: WICKET! Hafeez dismisses Head

Australia survives the first over after lunch from Haris Sohail ... and Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has chosen to immediately take the new ball.

And there’s an immediate result! Off spinner Mohammad Hafeez gets one to skid through on Travis Head and he’s trapped plum in front for LBW.

He’s out for 72 (175) and that’s a major blow for Australia as they try to bat out two full sessions to salvage a draw. The Aussies are 4-219, with Usman Khawaja on 84 not out (202 deliveries) and debutant Marnus Labuschagne the new man at the crease.

Australian batsman Travis Head has fallen for 72. Photo: AFP
Australian batsman Travis Head has fallen for 72. Photo: AFP

Daniel Sankey 7.04pm: LUNCH — Australia 3-215

Excellent work from Usman Khawaja and Travis Head, who’ve survived the first session on the fifth day of the First Test against Pakistan, taking Australia to 3-215.

Khawaja is 82 not out (199 deliveries) and Head is 70 not out (171 deliveries), with Australia trailing Pakistan by 246 runs.

With victory beyond the Aussies, survival has been the goal for Khawaja and Head — and they’ve done it superbly.

Daniel Sankey 6.45pm: Good news, but...

...Usman Khawaja is going to need to make a lot more than 83 today if Australia is to salvage a draw!

He’s well on the way, though, moving to 76 not out (184 deliveries) as Australia reaches 3-203 after 75 overs. Travis Head is on 65 not out from 162 deliveries as left-arm orthodox spinner Haris Sohail is called into the attack just 15 minutes before lunch.

Daniel Sankey 6.24pm: Ton up for Khawaja, Head

Usman Khawaja and debutant Travis Head have brought up their century partnership, continuing their recovery from Australia’s top order collapse from 0-87 to 3-87.

The Aussies are now 3-188 after 71 overs, with 69 overs remaining in the day’s play.

Their first goal, however, will be surviving the 35 minutes or so until the lunch break.

Trailing Pakistan by 273, victory is out of reach for the Aussies, but Tim Paine’s men will be growing in confidence at the prospect of snatching an unlikely draw thanks to the efforts of Khawaja and Head.

Daniel Sankey 6.01pm: DRINKS — Australia 3-178

Australian batsmen Usman Khawaja and Travis Head have successfully negotiated the first hour of the day’s play, taking Australia to 3-178 at drinks.

Khawaja is 65 not out (159 deliveries) while Head has notched his maiden Test half century on debut. He’s 56 not out from 138 deliveries.

Centuries from both batsmen are vital if Australia is to salvage a draw from this Test. Head, particularly, will be keen to capitalise on being given a life on 44, when he was judged not out on an LBW appeal that would have been given out if Pakistan reviewed.

Daniel Sankey 5.43pm: Head ‘dodges a bullet’

Australia’s Travis Head has brought up a well-deserved 50 on debut... but he can consider himself lucky to still be out in the middle after Pakistan failed to review an LBW shout that would have been given out.

Head was on 44 not out when he was struck on the pad by a Yasir Shah delivery that straightened down the line of leg stump.

The umpire said not out ... incorrectly, it turned out ... but Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed only has himself to blame after failing to review the decision.

“Pitching in the pitch map, hitting halfway up middle stump,” Fox Cricket commentator and former Australian captain Allan Border said.

“Ooh dear. The Australians have dodged a bullet there. Only one review left, so maybe he was just a bit worried early in the day, did it pitch in line? They were very confident initially. They won’t be happy.”

Travis Head celebrates after reaching his half century. Photo: Getty Images
Travis Head celebrates after reaching his half century. Photo: Getty Images

Daniel Sankey 5.03pm: We’re underway in Dubai

Usman Khawaja (50no) and Travis Head (34no) successfully negotiate the first over of the day from Wahab Riaz, taking four from it to move the score to 3-140.

Already, there’s a bit of reverse swing there for Riaz, who’ll be partnered at the other end by off-spinner Bilal Asif.

Daniel Sankey 4.50pm: ‘No demons in pitch’, Hussey says

If Australia can get through the first session without the loss of a wicket, former Australian batsman and now Fox Cricket commentator Mike Hussey believes a draw is a real possibility.

Australia resumes on 3-136, still trailing Pakistan by 325 runs, with opener Usman Khawaja and no.5 Travis Head the not out batsman.

Giving his pitch report for Fox Cricket, Hussey said there were ‘no demons’ in the wicket ahead of the resumption of play at 5pm AEST.

“It actually looks a lot better for a day five (pitch) than what we’ve seen in the past ... it’s holding together reasonably well, especially through the middle parts of the pitch. There’s a few cracks there, but not really big cracks, they haven’t opened up too much,” Hussey said.

The Dubai pitch at the end of the day’s play yesterday. Photo: Getty Images
The Dubai pitch at the end of the day’s play yesterday. Photo: Getty Images

“It’s more the swing (causing problems for Aussie batsmen), rather than the pitch playing any tricks. Perhaps it (the pitch) was just a touch slow, but generally it was the Australian batsmen getting beaten through the air rather than any tricks off the pitch.

“There is plenty of rough (at the batsmen’s ends), but it’s not really been chewed up as much as I would have expected. There will be some turn out of these areas but it should be reasonably consistent and certainly no demons there on day five for the Australians. If they can get in and get a good partnership going, get through to lunch unscathed, then you never know — there’ll be some belief there for Australia.”

Usman Khawaja (left) and Travis Head leave the field yesterday. Photo: Getty Images
Usman Khawaja (left) and Travis Head leave the field yesterday. Photo: Getty Images

4.35pm: Australia’s ‘win-at-all-costs mentality’

Writing in The Times today, former England captain Mike Atherton said new Australian captain Tim Paine had an unenviable task trying to restore his team’s reputation in the wake of ‘Sandpapergate’.

“For as long as I can remember, Australian teams always had an unshakeable belief that the Australian way, in coaching, captaincy, systems and style of cricket, was the right way, the only way — something they were always keen to preach to others,” Atherton said.

“In the aftermath of the hostile public reaction to events in Cape Town, the powers that be have realised the significance of character reputation as well as capability and competence.

“The players have been told that they must buy into a cultural shift designed to rid the team of a toxic win-at-all-costs mentality.”

Read the full story here.

Then-England captain Mike Atherton (right) with his Australian counterpart, Mark Taylor, following the Perth Test in 1995. Photo: Mike Keating
Then-England captain Mike Atherton (right) with his Australian counterpart, Mark Taylor, following the Perth Test in 1995. Photo: Mike Keating

4.20pm: ‘Batting worst I’ve seen’, Warne says

Shane Warne has called on Australia selectors to stick with Aaron Finch and believes his fellow Victorian should be considered as a future Test captain.

Finch scored 62 and 49 in his maiden two Test innings against Pakistan this week after being drafted into the side at the age of 31 to bolster a batting line-up that is missing the vastly experienced Steve Smith and David Warner. With Australia facing a heavy defeat in Dubai, Warne said the team boasted the weakest batting line-up he could remember less than a year out from the defence of the Ashes in England.

Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft will be eligible for selection after their suspensions for the Cricket World Cup and the Ashes and Warne expects all three to walk straight back into the side.

Shane Warne … ‘We need Smith, Warner and Bancroft’. Photo: Getty Images
Shane Warne … ‘We need Smith, Warner and Bancroft’. Photo: Getty Images

“We need them,” Warne told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I think Australia’s batting at the moment is the worst I have seen it. I hope they stick with Aaron Finch and he continues to makes some runs, he’s someone that could captain the side.”

The reputation of the suspended trio has taken a battering both in Australia and internationally following the sand paper incident during the fourth Test against South Africa in CapeTown.

Warne conceded they will still need to demonstrate contrition, but insists selectors have little choice but to get them back in the side as soon as they are available.

“It takes time and they are going to need to earn the respect of the cricket community from around the world,” he said.

Suspended trio Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner. Photo: AFP
Suspended trio Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner. Photo: AFP

“They need to get back the respect of the Australian public and that will only take time. It depends on how they come back and conduct themselves. But if they come back and make some hundreds then all will be forgotten and we’ll be saying how muchwe missed them.

“Warner and Smith will definitely get back in, Bancroft too, and if you add them to (Usman) Khawaja and Shaun Marsh the batting line-up looks a lot better.”

AAP

4pm: Cummins on ball tampering scandal

Injured Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins has promised he and his fellow players will make the nation proud in the upcoming summer of cricket.

Cummins is one of a host of players currently missing from the team that’s taking on Pakistan in a two-Test series in Dubai. His fast bowling colleague Josh Hazlewood is also injured, while Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft are all suspended following the ball tampering scandal in South Africa.

Pat Cummins (right) with one of his mentors, Brett Lee. Photo: Brett Costello
Pat Cummins (right) with one of his mentors, Brett Lee. Photo: Brett Costello

In this week’s edition of the Cricket Unfiltered podcast, Cummins explains how players have dealt with the effects of the ball tampering fiasco, and he opens up on his philosophy on life and cricket.

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