I often hear arguments and debates in cricket that begin with ‘Is Test Cricket Dead?’
To all those haters of test cricket, I would like you to watch highlights of the 1st test between Pakistan and Australia at Dubai. Well, there are plenty of examples of gripping test matches but this was the most recent example of a grinding 5-day game which has gone down to the final day, final session, final over and in fact, final ball.
Pakistan batted first and put up 482/10 in their 1st innings, thanks mostly to centuries from Mohammad Hafeez and Haris Sohail. Then, Bilal Asif on debut bowled an outstanding spell of 6/36 as Australia were bundled out for 202/10. Pakistan didn’t enforce the follow on and then added 181/6 decl. in their 2nd innings, setting Australia 462 runs to win in the final innings of the game. Many would question if Pakistan batted on for too long and whether 450+ was really needed.
The Aussies then fought, battled or whatever else you want to call it, but that 9th wicket partnership went on for 12.1 overs as the team batted for a total of 139.1 overs in the 4th innings to save the test match, which is a monumental effort for a test in Asia. Overall, well done Australia – a young side that did remarkably well to draw this game and stay alive in the series after the bad position they were in earlier in the game. This was their longest 4th innings effort in 47 years.
Now you tell me. Is test cricket dead?
