Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd Test Preview: Spin friendly pitch likely in Karachi as Pakistan welcome back Hasan & Faheem

The pitch in Karachi will be a lot more competitive as opposed to the tarmac of Rawalpindi.

LIVE SCORES - Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd Test 

The flattest of 'em all

As Australia finally touched down in Pakistan after 23 years, it was a historic moment for world cricket.

While the optics were quite wholesome with everyone from the Australian touring party very appreciative of the Pakistan food and hospitality, they would have expected a little more hospitality when it came to the pitch in Rawalpindi for the first test match.

The 22 yards produced 1187 runs and just 14 wickets in 5 days and that doesn't make for breathtaking cricket on most days.

  Karachi to serve up a result-oriented surface

Both captains expect a more sporting pitch for the 2nd test match in Karachi after the one in Rawalpindi was deemed 'below average' by the ICC.

Contrary to Babar Azam's pre match comments, Pakistan did not really 'dominate' the first test match but will certainly take a lot more out of the series opener as compared to their opponents.

Pakistan batters make merry

The top three scorers of the match were all from Pakistan, obviously with the advantage of taking guard in two innings, with Imam-ul-Haq making two centuries in his first ever test match against Australia. He stuck 268 runs in the match with the help of 23 boundaries and 4 sixes.

Azhar Ali was stoic with 185 of a marathon 361 deliveries. Abdullah Shafique also struck 180 in the match, including 136 not out in the second innings.

Usman Khawaja was the top run scorer for Australia and led the way for Aussie batters who reached tantalisingly close to a century but could not convert it into double figures, perhaps due to lack of application. Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner were in the same boat.

Like the run scoring charts, the wicket taking list was also topped by Pakistan in the first test match, with Nauman Ali picking up a six wicket haul in the first innings.

Nauman, Shaheen impress

Shaheen Shah Afridi was easily the pick of the pace bowlers in the test match which had some really quality quicks with the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi himself.

While the slow and low pitch rendered the pacers docile, Australia will certainly be disappointed with the effort of Nathan Lyon who bowled 78 overs in Rawalpindi and ended up with just one wicket while giving away 236 runs.

However, it is to the credit of Australia that they did not let the run rate slip away at any point in the match and there were no freebies on offer.

Karachi is expected to serve up a pitch assisting the spin bowlers. Pakistan already went in with two spinners in Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali in the first test and are expected to retain both of them.

Hasan, Faheem, Swepson set to play

The home team will welcome Hasan Ali who has recovered from an abductor injury in place of Naseem Shah. Faheem Ashraf has also tested negative for COVID-19 and will be back in the XI.

Mitchell Swepson will make his test debut for Australia in place of Josh Hazlewood. The leg spinner, who has been waiting for his turn patiently, will try to make the most of the opportunity and in doing so try to pay his tribute to idol Shane Warne.

Predicted Playing XIs

Pakistan - Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, Shaheen Afridi

Australia - Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson

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