'2001 Kolkata Test is the reason' - Twitter trolls Australia for not enforcing follow-on in Karachi Test

Pakistan were bundled out for just 148 in their first innings, conceding a lead of 408 in the first innings.

By Manoj Kumar

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Australia Team
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Australia Team (Photo Source: Twitter)

Australia has surprisingly, not enforced the follow on against Pakistan despite having a big lead in the ongoing second Test at the National Stadium in Karachi. They declared on the third day morning after a big total of 556 for 9 having batted for more than two days, thanks to some excellent batting from the likes of Usman Khawaja (160), Alex Carey (93), Steven Smith (72).

Pakistan lost wickets regularly in the first innings, and there weren’t many contributions after the top four. Skipper Babar Azam top-scored with a 36 run knock while Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers with three for 29. The debutant Mitchell Swepson chipped in with two wickets as well and Pakistan was bowled out for just 148 in 53 overs.

With a lead of 408 runs, Australia opted to bat again and rather did not enforce the follow on reminding many of the famous Kolkata Test in 2001. It was on the very same day in 2001 that Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman had batted for the whole day in Kolkata after the Aussies had enforced the follow-on.

Australia batted first and scored a mammoth 445 while India were bowled out for just 171 in their first innings. They had the opportunity to enforce the follow on, and it led to one of the most dramatic Test comebacks in the history of the game.

Dravid and Laxman had made Australia sweat it out in the heat

India managed to get to 657 for the loss of 7 wickets and declared setting a target of 384 for the visitors to chase down. VVS Laxman had hit a mammoth 281 while Rahul Dravid had also batted stupendously for his 180 to put a 376-run partnership for the fifth wicket and got back India to an excellent position.

On the final day, Harbhajan Singh bowled beautifully to pick a six wicket haul as Australia lost the Test by 171 runs in the end despite enforcing the follow on.

The netizens were reminded of the wrong decision from Australia in 2001 and they trolled them for the same. At the moment in Karachi, it looks like they have made the right decision as they ended the day three at 81 for 1 with a lead of 489 runs. It will be interesting to see at what point, Australia decide to declare as they would be itching to notch up a win and take a lead in the three-match series.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to Australia’s decision:

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