Inspired by controlled aggression of Mohammad Sami and the guile of Mohammad Asif the Pakistanis tore through an anxious Aussie line up that had been put in to bat by Ricky Ponting amidst dark clouds and seaming conditions. The collapse, triggered initially by a hostile burst by Sami (3-27), was topped off by Asif with a career-best of 6-41.
Ponting’s decision to bat first on such a surface may have seemed odd to the puzzled experts but it was characteristic of the confidence he has had in his team over the past couple of seasons. This time around, however, the lateral movement off the pitch and the discipline shown by the visitors was too good for the home side. Simon Katich’s replacement, Phil Hughes, was first to go off a full, wide delivery by Sami that was grasped by Faisal Iqbal at second slip. Hughes, who has a batting average of 52.44 from five tests, has failed to live up to his potential in the last couple of opportunities and did so again despite being dropped by Umar Akmal earlier. Sami was rewarded again for good lines and pace when he first got Ricky Ponting playing an awkward pull shot and then the in form Shane Watson with one that completely squared the batsman up. The Karachi quick had bowled 4 overs, 3 maidens and picked up 3 wickets for only 5 runs at that stage.
Asif soon got on the scoreboard bowling Michael Clarke with a customary in-dipper and accounted for Michael Hussey soon after. Hussey’s 28 off 52 balls seemed to be guiding the Aussies home to some safety but his departure followed by that of Marcus North off successive balls put paid to any such hopes. Brad Haddin punched back the hat- trick ball back to the bowler and signalled his intentions of a counterattack. But his adventure was soon over as he tried to clear mid-off where Mohammad Yousuf took a simple catch.
At 62-6 Nathan Hauritz and Mitchell Johnson combined to exhilarate the bewildered crowd, hammering Danish Kaneria in particular. Asif broke the stand of 44, nipping through Hauritz’s defence first before nailing Johnson who edged one to mid-off. The final contribution came from Umar Gul, who looked rusty but managed to pick up Doug Bollinger. As the last wicket fell Pakistan faced the risky proposition of batting for half-an-hour before close in dimming light.
Imran Farhat and Salman Butt negotiated well, playing with soft hands and bringing their bodies behind the swinging deliveries. The umpires, prompted by a Bollinger short ball that thudded into Farhat’s gloves, finally called time in the fifth over of the innings.
Pakistan will be satisfied with their overall performance today but will be mindful of the fact that the pitch conditions will be pretty similar tomorrow morning. If the overcast condition plays its part on the second day, Sydney could see another round of collapses.
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