Pakistan v Australia - The men in green have conquered adversity in style

The suspension of Saeed Ajmal by the ICC had dented Pakistan psychologically and continuous dismal performances in recent times didn’t do anything good to uplift the Pakistan team’s confidence. While Australia were all set to script another comprehensive win against Pakistan like the ODIs and T20I, the Pakistanis were found busy with off-field issues before the start of first Test.

But the Pakistan team always have the element of danger. No matter which team is playing, it always seems that the normal mechanism of control doesn’t exist. No Pakistan team will ever play the way as you expect.

You just never know which Pakistan team will show up - whether they would come together as a unit to tear an opponent in half or tear themselves into half. Either they are cornered Tigers one day or cornered chickens the other day.

The much experienced Australian batting had jolted against the left-arm spin of Zulfiqar – playing in his second Test - and legspin of an unknown young lad named Yasir Shah who was playing his first Test. Despite Pakistan’s respectable first innings total, it was least expected that, an inexperienced Pakistani attack would be able to put the Australian batsmen under pressure. But, Zulfiqar and Yasir had stranglehold the Australian batsmen.

Both of them had bowled with enough spirit as their expertise and subtlety continuously flummoxed the Australian batsmen and for a single moment the absence of Ajmal was never felt.  Pakistan were more focused and resourceful than Australia and Misbah-ulHaq as a captain shrugged off his defensive mindset and was seen to more aggressive and proactive.

Who would have thought that a competitive Australian team would surrender meekly in Dubai? Who would have thought that an Ajmal-less team would devour the Australians in such a ruthless manner? But at Dubai, such eye-popping things did happen as because Pakistan - the underdogs before the start of Dubai Test - as a team were more focused and resourceful than Australia.

Pakistan cricket has never been without a crisis situation and time and again, controversies have hogged the headlines. But each time, they have bounced back well. The suspension of Saeed Ajmal was an unexpected blow for Pakistan fraternity, but by beating Australia in Dubai they have conquered adversity in style.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar