'They made effort to nullify pace bowling': Pat Cummins slams Rawalpindi pitch; 'Not a traditional pitch you'd get here'

Just 14 wickets fell in five days in the first Test, with Australia picking only 4.

Published on: Mar 9, 2022, 11:45:30 IST

By hindustantimes.com, New Delhi

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The first Test of the series between Pakistan and Australia ended in a dull draw in Rawalpindi. After Pakistan declared their first innings on 476/4, Australia scored 459 and the time left in the Test wasn't enough to induce a result, with Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique (136*) and Imam-ul-Haq (111*) playing out the entire fifth day for a draw. The pitch condition came under significant scrutiny throughout the game and Australia skipper Pat Cummins also joined the debate, stating that by providing a flat track, the hosts made an attempt to nullify his side's pace attack.

Australia's Pat Cummins, front, bowls during the 5th day of the first test match between Pakistan and Australia at the Pindi Stadium, in Rawalpindi. (AP)

Just 14 wickets fell in five days in the first Test, with Australia picking only 4.

"Turning up to a pitch that's probably not a traditional pitch you would get here in Rawalpindi, and it's probably clear they've made an effort to try and nullify the pace bowling," ESPNcricinfo quoted Cummins as saying.

Also read: 'The bottomline was "we shouldn't lose'": Afridi blasts pitch conditions in 1st Test; sends big warning for Babar and co

"I think that's a positive. And, sub-continent conditions, coming away with a draw it's not a bad result. I think we all tried different things. I think all the quick bowlers, although we've spent the best part of three days out in the field, I think we've all bowled around about 25, maximum 30 overs each, which in comparison to a lot of Australian Test matches is actually a pretty light workload.

"(We) didn't get a huge look at reverse swing this Test, but that might come into it later on. But I was really happy with how everyone went and everyone's come through unscathed," he added.

During the Test, opening batter Imam-ul-Haq became just the 10th Pakistan player to score twin centuries in a Test match.

"I thought the Pakistani batters batted really well the whole game. Got themselves in and then once they got themselves in they were able to just tick over the score," said Cummins.

The second Test between Pakistan and Australia will begin on March 12.

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