Pat Cummins’ Spell Turns the Tables in MCG Test
Captain Pat Cummins clean bowled Babar Azam with a gem of a delivery late on day two to spark a Pakistan collapse as Australia took control of the Boxing Day Test.
With the MCG surface appearing to flatten in the sun, Pakistan had advanced confidently to 124 for 1 before Cummins took over with three wickets, giving Australia a crucial lead in the first innings.
Pakistan was disappointed after putting in a strong showing for much of the day. After dismissing Australia for 318 by lunch, Pakistan reacted impressively, with opener Abdullah Shafique and captain Shan Masood putting on a 90-run stand after tea.
After batting cautiously in the second session, Shafique pressed the pedal to the metal with many magnificent blows square of the wicket as he raced over his half-century.
Masood pledged his team will play a proactive brand before the series, and he led from the front by charging at offspinner Nathan Lyon and slamming him down the ground to good effect.
In an enthralling display of skill and determination, Pat Cummins delivered a pivotal performance on Day 2 of the Melbourne Test, propelling Australia into a commanding position against Pakistan. The bright sunshine and challenging batting conditions set the stage for an intense battle between the two teams. After a solid start from Pakistan, Cummins unleashed a spell of precision bowling that resulted in the key wickets of Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique, triggering a collapse in the final session. This article delves into the details of Cummins’ exceptional display and its impact on the match.
Australia’s Struggles and Pakistan’s Resilience
On Day 1, Marnus Labuschagne had held off Pakistan’s pacers to reach a vital half-century. However, the impressive Aamer Jamal managed to dismiss him, finishing as the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with three wickets. Despite contributions from Mitchell Marsh and Labuschagne, Australia struggled to form substantial partnerships and lost seven wickets in the morning session. Pakistan’s determination was evident as they capitalized on favorable conditions and exceptional catching to restrict Australia to 318 runs.
Pakistan’s Promising Start
Pakistan’s openers, Abdullah Shafique and Imam Ul Haq, defied Australia’s quicks in the afternoon session. Despite the persistent outside-edge probing by Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins, the duo held their ground. However, Nathan Lyon’s sustained pressure paid off when he induced Imam to nick a flighted ball, resulting in a catch by Labuschagne at first slip. Pakistan’s Shan Masood and Shafique then accelerated their scoring rate, targeting Lyon after tea. Masood’s aggressive intent was evident as he danced down the track to hit a boundary off Lyon’s first delivery after the break.
Cummins’ Game-Changing Spell
As the final session unfolded, Cummins took center stage. With the match hanging in the balance, he delivered a devastating blow by dismissing Shafique with a sharp catch off his own bowling. In the following overs, Cummins delivered a back-of-a-length ball that breached Babar Azam’s defense, shattering Pakistan’s hopes of a strong batting performance. Masood managed to reach his fifty, but Cummins brought Lyon back into the attack after drinks, resulting in Masood’s dismissal due to a miscued outside edge.
Australia’s Dominance and Pakistan’s Collapse
Australia intensified their efforts to dismantle Pakistan’s middle-order, with Hazlewood making a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Saud Shakeel. Agha Salman’s attempt to drive away from his body resulted in a nick behind, giving Cummins his third wicket of the innings. Pakistan, which had been 68/1 at Tea, stumbled to 194/6 at stumps, still trailing Australia by 124 runs. Cummins’ exceptional bowling display turned the tables in favor of Australia, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position heading into Day 3.
Conclusion
Pat Cummins’ remarkable spell on Day 2 of the MCG Test has put Australia in a commanding position against Pakistan. His precision bowling and ability to break through Pakistan’s top order have swung the match in Australia’s favor. Pakistan’s resilience and promising start were overshadowed by Cummins’ brilliance, leading to a collapse in the final session. As the match continues, the outcome remains uncertain, but Cummins’ performance has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the game.
