AUS v PAK, 2nd Test: Wounded Pakistan look to bounce back from Brisbane heartbreak

The first Test between Pakistan and Australia was nothing short of impressive. Played with the pink ball and Pakistan’s extraordinary chasing abilities, it will be long before this encounter is forgotten. However, in spite of all of this, one can only look forward to what is coming in terms of the Boxing Day encounter at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

While both sides would be looking to go at it from the very outset, there is a certain fine line between the ordeal of drawing the Test and an actual Pakistani win, something that is not certainly ruled out to say the least given Pakistan’s fighting spirit.

Prelude

The build-up to this particular Test match has been absolutely phenomenal. Of course, there is the dubious honor of the Australians given the fact that they simply failed to pull off a win in their previous two series, something that has brought Australian cricket to a massive problem that it has taken drastic steps to solve.

At the moment, it would be fair to say that the reinforcements have done marginally well, but the larger picture remains that there is a massive gap to be filled and something that needs to be filled as soon as possible in a wild bid to help avoid the drop.

True Grit

When Asad Shafiq played that magical innings of 137 at Adelaide, it took most by surprise. Not because he had just played the innings of his life, but because of the fact that he had shown a character that many if not all Pakistani batsmen had failed to show when it mattered most.

Of course, Pakistan would go on to concede the game and also not make as much impact as they possibly could have, but they won one thing which was the fans and the crowd most of whom were Aussies no less. They will definitely be bringing their A-game to the fore at the MCG and try to square the series.

Nic Maddinson catches a lucky break

Southpaw Nic Maddinson was very much a part of the pre-match buildup as his place in the side looked as uncertain as ever. With Hilton Cartwright also making his way into the grand scheme of things, the fact of the matter remained that Maddinson’s place in the side is still up for grabs. However, having been given the assurance that he will certainly be playing at the MCG, he will have to play out of his skin should he have any hopes of playing in the upcoming Tests for the Aussies.

Australia

The team news for Australia is pretty straightforward as they will be entering the Test match unchanged. Of course, this is the same side that Australia fielded at the MCG. The pressure will certainly be on Maddinson as he will be feeling the heat following a string of results. Jackson Bird will keep his place in the side ahead of Chadd Sayers who also has been in impressive form in recent times.

Pakistan

Pakistan is also expected to be unchanged from their previous engagement with the Aussies in the Gabba. However, there is expected to be some change when it comes to the bowling department given the fact that some of the bowlers are certainly ageing and need to be rested. Sohail Khan could be expected to come into the fold, but all eyes will certainly be on Asad Shafiq as he would look to impress with the similar character he showed in Brisbane.

Probable XI

Australia:

Steve Smith (C), Matthew Wade (wk), Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird, Josh Hazelwood

Pakistan:

Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Younis Khan, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz

StAttack

1. Australia has won four of the last five matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The last time they lost at this venue was in the 2010 edition of the Ashes.

2. All the Test matches since January 1990 at the MCG have been Boxing Day Tests barring the one played in 1994 against England on Christmas eve.

3. Matthew Wade requires one dismissal to complete 50 Test match dismissals. Wade’s counterpart Sarfraz Ahmed requires 3 more dismissals to complete 100 Test match dismissals

4. David Warner requires 51 runs to complete 5000 Test match runs. He will become one of the fastest to reach the milestone having played just the 58 Test matches. Similarly Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan skipper requires 116 runs to do the same.

5. Josh Hazelwood requires 3 wickets to complete 100 Test match wickets.