Australia survive Pakistan scare to win thrilling first Test by 39 runs

In the build-up to this Test, Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur labelled the right-hander “a very, very good player – technically outstanding”.

The teams will now face off on Boxing Day for the second game from December 26.

We have seen fans vote with their feet to embrace the day-night concept in Queensland.

“I know the umpires and Steve were talking out there”, Saker said.

The Pakistani did oblige twice, edging on 58 and 72, with Usman Khawaja putting down an extremely hard chance and then Steve Smith spilling a much simpler offering.

Pakistan were rolled for 142 after unravelling spectacularly under lights at the Gabba on Friday and resumed at 97-8 on Saturday, trailing the hosts by 332 runs.

So tell me.if you were a selector, what do you do about Nic Maddinson?

This is possibly the best time for Pakistan to break the jinx of not beating Australia in their territory.

Although Wahab and Amir earlier finished with four wickets apiece to limit Australia to 429, it was another poor day in the field for Pakistan, with two dropped catches. “I think an all-rounder will be talked about”.

And part of it was a pink ball that went soft far too quickly, according to Smith and some of his colleagues.

The world said they need to take it as a practice match since there is no question of winning or drawing. It isn’t every day that Pakistan scores 450 runs in their fourth innings – be it in Australia or Sharjah – and similarly, it isn’t every day that Australian bowlers find it impossible to penetrate the defence of Pakistani tail enders.

With at least 217 overs to bat, and reputation on the line after Pakistan batting had gone down in a heap in New Zealand just a few weeks back, visitors had no reason to rush into things and could go about things at their own pace. Before they reached fifty, the Green Shirts lost their four important wickets along with their captain Misbah ul Haq. “Some game of cricket, wasn’t it?” said Smith after the match.

Middle order batsman Asad Shafiq was 13 not out, with wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed on 17, and Pakistan’s hopes of saving the match appearing as gloomy as the weather. Mitchell Starc persisted with a short-pitched plan after a 90-minute storm delay at tea.

Second innings: 202/5d in 39 overs. But, playing at home, Khawaja has been one of Australia’s prolific run-scorers and the No. 3 batsman top-scored with 74 in Australia’s final innings.