AUS Vs PAK: Naseem, Afridi Shine

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Post on Nov 11, 2024

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AUS vs PAK: Naseem and Afridi Shine in Thrilling Series Opener

Brisbane, Australia - Pakistan's young bowling attack, led by the fiery Naseem Shah and the experienced Shaheen Afridi, put on a masterclass in pace and precision as they bowled out Australia for a paltry 118 runs in the first Test of the series at the Gabba.

The Pakistani bowlers, facing a tough batting lineup on a lively pitch, exploited the bounce and movement on offer to keep the Australian batsmen on the backfoot throughout the innings.

Naseem Shah, the 19-year-old pace sensation, was the star of the show, claiming a career-best 5-54. His ability to extract pace and bounce from the pitch was evident as he rattled the Australian stumps with his fast deliveries. His first wicket, the prized scalp of Usman Khawaja, came off a delivery that seamed back in and bowled the batsman clean through.

Shaheen Afridi, the left-arm pace spearhead, provided the perfect foil to Naseem. His deliveries were consistently angled in towards the right-handers, leaving the batsmen struggling to cope. Afridi finished with figures of 3-40, including the crucial wicket of Steve Smith for a duck.

The Pakistani spinners, Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan, also played their part in the collapse. Both spinners bowled tight, restrictive lines, making it difficult for the Australian batsmen to score runs. Nauman Ali, in particular, bowled with accuracy and guile, picking up 2 wickets.

Australia's batting woes were exacerbated by a lack of application and poor shot selection. Apart from a brief stand between Travis Head and Cameron Green, the Australian batsmen were consistently on the back foot, falling victim to the Pakistani bowlers' relentless pressure.

This dominant bowling performance has set Pakistan up for a strong start to the series. The tourists will be looking to take a commanding lead in the match and secure a win in the first Test.

Key Moments:

• Naseem Shah’s 5-wicket haul: His performance was the highlight of the day. His pace and accuracy proved too much for the Australian batsmen.
• Shaheen Afridi’s early strikes: Afridi’s ability to move the ball both ways troubled the Australian batsmen, leading to quick wickets.
• Australia’s batting collapse: The hosts were bowled out for a paltry 118 runs, a testament to the Pakistani bowling attack’s dominance.

What’s Next:

Pakistan will be looking to capitalize on their strong start and put pressure on Australia in the second innings. The hosts will need to regroup and show more resilience to avoid a heavy defeat in the first Test.

This series is set to be a thrilling battle between two of the best Test teams in the world. With both teams boasting strong bowling attacks, the contests are likely to be close and exciting.