Australia opening batsman David Warner praised Pakistan’s bowlers for their impressive bowling performance on the first day of the Boxing Day Test match. Pakistan’s pace bowlers got plenty of exercise in the cloudy skies but were unable to make the most of the favorable conditions to pick up more wickets.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and elected to bowl first on a pitch where seam bowling is preferred. Pakistan’s bowlers seized the momentum from the beginning by bowling good lengths, and Warner got an early chance from Abdullah Shafiq on his second delivery, from which he scored 38 runs off 83 balls, just before lunch. He was sent off.
There was a brief stoppage due to rain during the match, but Pakistan continued to apply pressure after the break. Marnus Labuschagne withstood several screams from LBW, but veteran Australian batsman Steve Smith fired a shot at the keeper.
At the end of the first day of play, David Warner spoke to the media and praised Pakistan’s bowling performance. He said they bowled incredibly well all day, always hitting the right lines and lengths. Shaheen Afridi also added that despite bowling very well, they were unlucky not to get more wickets on the first day.
“I don’t think it has much to do with my pace whether I can hit the ball in the right area or not.Pakistan bowled very well today.I was surprised at the number of overs that Shaheen bowled. ”
“It was a long day for him. If you can’t bowl fast in Australia, you have to hit the right line and length and create something. They (Pakistan’s pacers) were outstanding “Shaheen bowled well today but wasn’t very lucky,” said David Warner.
Australia reached 187/3 at Stamps on the first day thanks to the batting of Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja, but Pakistan struggled all day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, picking up just 3 wickets in sailor-friendly conditions. I was only able to obtain one.
Right now, Marnus Labuscagne seems to be in complete control of the innings, forming a valuable partnership with Travis Head on the second day as Australia score high in the first innings. I would like to make it possible.
In the meantime, Pakistan will continue to bat good lines and lengths, aiming to seize momentum and take wickets as soon as possible.
