Abdullah, Imam smash centuries as Australia-Pakistan Test ends in a draw

By our correspondent

RAWALPINDI: Abdullah Shafique (136*) and Imam-ul-Haq (111*) frustrated Australian bowlers with patient knocks as the first Test between Pakistan and Australia ended in a tame draw here the Pindi Stadium on Tuesday.

Australia had only to labour without any success during wicketless 77 overs as both Imam and Abdullah knitted 252 runs for the unvanquished first wicket stand. This was also the highest stand for any wicket against Australia. When both Imam and Abdullah shared 100 runs it was the first time in Test history that three hundred runs partnerships were made in a single Test.

Imam, who had also hit 157 in the first innings, became the tenth Pakistani batsman to score centuries in both innings of a Test and the fourth who did this against Aussies.

Abdullah showed his potential as the Sialkot-born young right-hander smashed 15 fours and one six from 242 balls. Imam, who also had not score a century before his twin hundreds in this game, smashed seven fours and two sixes from 223 balls. Australian bowlers leaked 728 runs in return of only four wickets, the visitors second poorest bowling performance in their Test history.

Australia’s off-spinner Nathan Lyon conceded 75 runs in his 26 overs futile effort.

Earlier, in response to Pakistan’s total of 476-4 declared Australia resumed their innings at  449-7 and were folded for 459 after adding only ten runs to their overnight score.

Nauman Ali, the left-arm spinner, finished with 6-107 in 38.1 overs.

Imam-ul-Haq was adjudged as man of the match. Both teams will now fly over to Karachi on Wednesday to face each other in their second Test at the National Stadium Karachi from March 12.

At Karachi Australia are yet to win a Test as of the eight matches held so far at the venue five have been won by Pakistan while three ended in a draw.