Pakistan’s pragmatic attitude to the last day in Karachi, according to Babar Azam, was moulded by the magnitude of the aim Australia had set for them. When the fifth day began, Pakistan needed to either survive 90 overs or, more unlikely, score 334 more runs to reach the 506-run mark set in the fourth innings.
However, as the game entered its final hour and Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan looked pretty comfortable after putting up 115 for the fifth wicket, the idea of a stunning late dash to the objective began to take shape. Babar and Rizwan, on the other hand, appeared to resist the temptation, and while Babar explained that the pursuit was never really on, that didn’t stop him from enjoying his knock.
“This innings means a lot to me since the squad really needed it,” he said. “We were realistic in our pursuit. We planned to bat normally until tea, and then go for the chase if we found ourselves in a position to do so. Unfortunately, we lost wickets, so we didn’t really think about the chase. The game has to be saved. We might have tried to chase it if I had stayed longer.”
Any hopes of a chase were quickly dashed as Babar Azam and Faheem Ashraf fell off successive balls, leaving Pakistan with a last-ditch effort to avoid defeat. “Rizwan and I were talking about what the scenario required because the wicket was difficult for the new batter,” Babar explained. “The spinners were receiving assistance. I had faith in Sajid [Khan] and Nauman [Ali] because of the way they batted, and I trusted them to save the game for us.”
The pitches for the series have been a constant source of debate, with the Karachi strip coming under further scrutiny after the one in Rawalpindi was judged “below ordinary” after a sluggish draw in which only 14 wickets were lost over five days. In Karachi, the bowlers had more help, albeit it was reverse-swing that posed the most serious threat, rather than the fissures in the ground that aided spin. The conditions were the same for both teams, according to Babar, who believes the surface has a lot to offer bowlers.
“The fast bowlers get reverse here; they found it, and so did we. The spinners, too, found their way around. There was no difference in the reverse-swing they got in both innings, I believe. They’ve got a lot of it here, too. In the opening innings, there were a number of soft dismissals, giving the impression that the game was reversing a lot. It happened again in the second inning, but our batters were on fire. They know how to deal with reverse-swing because it occurs in first-class cricket as well. When you’re up against one of the top teams in the world, you can expect a fight.”
Abdullah Shafique was outstanding in the way he played the new and old ball and the patience he showed’ – Babar Azam
After a dispiriting third day, which saw Pakistan bowled out for 148 in 53 overs, giving Australia a 408-run lead, Babar Azam revealed how he had pushed his team. He explained, “You gain motivation from your teammates.” “We didn’t bat well in the first innings, but we were confident that we could preserve the game in the second. “What’s gone is gone,” we reminded the boys, “and we have to focus on the present.” Veteran players demonstrated their expertise. We told each other that Tests have ups and downs and that we should take each game one at a time. I tried to instil confidence in them. Abdullah Shafique’s patience and ability to play both new and old ball were superb.”
The buzz surrounding this tour isn’t only about what occurs on the field, but also what happens off it. With Australia visiting Pakistan for the first time since 1998, a raucous crowd gathered to witness Pakistan attempt to make history, either by chasing down the target or by surviving more overs to preserve a Test than any other team since 1939. It added to an already emotional day, and the Pakistan captain recognised its significance.
“That feeling is so fantastic I can’t explain it when you play in front of your crowd and they support you,” he remarked. “It’s incredible to have the entire stadium behind you. We’re overjoyed that cricket has returned, and we’re excited to be playing against such a strong team.”