Australia vs Pakistan are currently playing a Test match as part of the Pakistan tour of Australia 2023/24. The match is being held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and it started on December 26, 2023. In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive review of the ongoing Test match between Australia and Pakistan, covering all the relevant information for “Australia vs Pakistan.”
Table of Contents
Australia vs Pakistan: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
Australia vs Pakistan faced each other in a high-scoring ICC Cricket World Cup group game on October 20, 2023. Australia beat Pakistan by 62 runs to get their campaign back on track with a second straight win This victory was crucial for Australia as it helped them to advance to the next round of the tournament.
Australia vs Pakistan: First Test at Perth
Australia and Pakistan played their first Test match at Perth Stadium from December 14 to 17, 2023. Australia won the match by an innings and 89 runs. Australia’s Pat Cummins was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance with the ball. He took 5 wickets in the match and was instrumental in helping Australia secure a comfortable victory
Australia vs Pakistan: Second Test at Melbourne
The ongoing Test match between Australia and Pakistan is the second Test of the Pakistan tour of Australia 2023/24. The match is being held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and it started on December 26, 2023. The match was delayed by rain, and the covers were taken off later. Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. At the end of day one, Australia scored 158 runs for the loss of three wickets.
Usman Khawaja was the top scorer for Australia with 42 runs, while Hasan Ali took one wicket for Pakistan. Steven Smith was caught behind as Pakistan struck late. At the end of day two, Australia scored 114 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. The match is still ongoing, and Australia is currently batting in their first innings
Australia’s Dominance in the Ongoing Test Match
Australia has been dominant in the ongoing Test match against Pakistan. At the end of day two, Australia has a lead of 44 runs over Pakistan. Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith have been the top scorers for Australia so far. Khawaja scored 42 runs, while Smith is not out at 14 runs. Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi took one wicket. The match is part of the Pakistan tour of Australia 2023/24
Strengths of the Australian Cricket Team
- Potent batting arsenal: Australia boasts a formidable batting lineup brimming with talent capable of dismantling any opposition. The likes of Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, and Glenn Maxwell, with their proven match-winning abilities, add depth to the batting order2.
- Formidable fast bowling unit: The Australian Cricket Team enters the 2023 ODI World Cup with a potent fast bowling lineup. The likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood can trouble any batting order with their pace and swing.
Weaknesses of the Australian Cricket Team
- Vulnerability to spin: The Australian Cricket Team has struggled against spin bowling in recent times. This weakness was exposed in their tour of India in 2017, where they lost the Test series 2-1.
- Unity issues: The Australian Cricket Team has been plagued by unity issues in recent times. The ball-tampering scandal in 2018 led to the suspension of Steve Smith and David Warner, and it took some time for the team to regain its composure.
Strengths of the Pakistani Cricket Team
- Formidable pace attack: Pakistan has a lethal fast-bowling unit that can tear apart any top-class batting order. With the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Wasim, they will be a nightmare for the opposition.
- Decent batting unit: Pakistan’s batting unit has been in good form in recent times. Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, and Agha Salman have all made valuable contributions with the bat.
Weaknesses of the Pakistani Cricket Team
- Below-par spin attack: While Pakistan’s pace attack is praised, their spin bowling unit is a concern for them. All-rounder Shadab Khan will lead the spinners, but he himself has not been in good form recently. Bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz is another option, but he has not been consistent enough.
- Inconsistent and out-of-form top order: Pakistan’s top order has been inconsistent and out of form in recent times. This weakness was exposed in their tour of England in 2021, where they lost the ODI series 3-0
Conclusion
In conclusion, Australia vs Pakistan have a long-standing cricketing rivalry, and their ongoing Test match is no exception. While Australia has been dominant in the match so far, Pakistan has the potential to turn things around. The ongoing Test match is a testament to the spirit of cricket and the passion that both teams have for the game. We hope that this blog has provided you with a comprehensive review of the ongoing Test match between Australia and Pakistan.