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Summary Lyon continued to test Younis as he tried to slog one over midwicket and got caught at mid-on
SYDNEY: (Zainab Abbas) - What started off as a glimmer of hope at the end of the Gabba Test, ended in complete disappointment as Pakistan were all out for 244 in the third Test at the SCG. Pakistan started the day with Azhar Ali and nightwatchman Yasir Shah on the crease. Azhar Ali got out trying to get one past straight but holed it straight to Hazelwood off his bowling in the very first over of the day. Babar Azam who has struggled for runs this summer did not last more than 4 balls as he got lbw for a golden duck to an inswinger from Hazlewood.
Lyon continued to test Younis as he tried to slog one over midwicket and got caught at mid-on. Yasir Shah offered some resistance from the other end but eventually got caught in the slips to a delivery that turned and bounced.
Shafiq could not last long as he tried to drive one outside the off stump only to inside edge one on the stumps of the bowling off Starc. Amir, Wahab and Imran all failed to chip in as Pakistan’s batting crumbled to a series whitewash.
Misbah-ul-Haq averaging 12.66 this series got out again trying to connect one outside SCG, got down on one knee trying to hit over cover but the spin did him in and got out to a poor shot in the context similar to his dismissal in the first innings. “When you are under pressure, and confidence is down, you try and hit shots that you normally would not do, I tried to hit out but you make mistakes when things are not going your way”. On being questioned about his retirement “I will go home and think about it”.
The two players who have been the backbone of the series have struggled for form and got out to very uncharacteristic shots, calls on their future have already been made by pundits and they have left a legacy behind. Misbah on being asked about the bowling “It was disappointing because we were unable to take twenty wickets in any of the games, as a bowling unit we failed”. He also mentioned how important it was for Pakistan to send their players to tour to gain experience in unfamiliar conditions.
On being asked about Pakistan’s chance in the ODI’s he said “I am upbeat about the ODI series, there are some young players coming through and if we play positively we can come good”.
The ODI series starts from the 13th of January and Pakistan need points to qualify for the Champions Trophy. A new format bringing new challenges for Pakistan, will be interesting to see how much of an impact the test series loss has on the ODIs.
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