The day went steadily downhill for the Australian team on the first day of the first Test against Pakistan at Lord’s.
mohammad asif rejoices
Australia overcame an hour delay but failed to counter the pace and swing of Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif who struck at critical junctures to leave the Australians feeling rather hollow from the experience.
Mohammad Aamer struck first when Shane Watson could not prevent his stumps being disturbed by the ball that ricocheted off his pads. He then had the better of the Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, who did not look comfortable at all at the crease.
Australia fought back through opener Simon Katich and vice captain, Michael Clarke, who put up a 12 run partnership for the third wicket to stem the inroads. While the partnership held strong, the Pakistan bowlers were always looking threatening and the breach finally came around the tea interval.
This time it was Mohammad Asif who teased and taunted Australia before picking up the crucial wickets of Michael Clarke for forty-seven runs and then in the next over, striking twice to dismiss Katich, batting on eighty runs and Marcus North. Suddenly Australia’s resistance had been significantly weakened 171 for two to 174 for five.
Michael Hussey fought desperately to keep Australia afloat with his thirty-nine run stance but by then, Australia had lost seven wickets for just fifty-one runs, succumbing to nine down for 229 before bad light stopped play, Asif and Aamer stranded on three wickets each on a rather bright day for Pakistan.
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