Aussies on top but only just by Rohit Sakunia

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Scorecard:	Australia v Pakistan
Player:	Mohammad Yousuf, SR Watson, Mohammad Aamer
Event:	Pakistan in Australia 2009/10

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DateLine: 29th December 2009

 

Two decent partnerships at the top and a unbeaten 54-run fourth wicket stand between skipper Mohammad Yousuf and Umar Akmal is what is giving Pakistan a glimmer, just a glimmer of hope to win the first Test against Australia at Melbourne. Pakistan are 252 runs away from the target, having seven wickets in hand. Australia on the other hand sit on a little more cosy chair considering the pitch is breaking up and a couple of wickets early tomorrow would all but end Pakistan's resistance.

 

Earlier, Australia resumed the day on their overnight score of 111/3 and immediately were woken up by memories of a second innings collapse. There have been many such instances for the hosts this year, including the Ashes and, more recently, the Perth Test. This time the protagonist for Pakistan was a young left-arm seamer Mohammad Aamer. The young quick kept attacking batsmen who were on a look out for some quick runs. Aamer in the process picked up a fifer and became the second youngest bowler in Test history to claim a five-wicket haul.

 

His first victim was Michael Clarke, caught behind chasing a delivery that tailed away slightly. Then Marcus North and Brad Haddin fell in the space of two balls taking the 17-year-old into a most exclusive club. The reverse swing became the dreaded weapon for Aamer and coupled with his good line and length from around the wicket, with a combination of express pace, he took the Aussie batting by surprise.

 

On the other end, Shane Watson continued to fight it out for his elusive conversion of a 100 from a 50. He was lucky to be dropped by Abdur Rauf at gully off the bowling of Mohammad Aamer on 99, and a scampered single then brought him his ton. The right-hand opener finished the innings with an unbeaten 120. This innings was the only thing Ponting would be thankful because the cushion of first innings and this ton meant the hosts put Pakistan a daunting total of 422 to chase on a crumbling surface.

 

The chase then became further improbable when Doug Bollinger dismissed Imran Farhat in the lead-up to tea. The left-handed Imran farhat was rapped on the pads in the seventh over of Pakistan's second innings. Though the appeal was initially turned down by Rudi Koertzen, it was overturned as Ponting decided to go for the challenge.

 

Faisal Iqbal then joined Salman Butt in the middle and together the duo added 62 runs. The loose balls were despatched to the fence and with time both started to look good in the middle. Nathan Hauritz did not look anything close to picking up a wicket as almost all his overs were taken for runs and at that time it looked that both the batsmen were set for bigger scores. But against the run of play, Butt played a Johnson delivery across the line and was found plumb in front of his wickets. Neither the umpire nor the batsman needed a confirmation as Butt made the long way back.

 

The wicket brought Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf to the middle. He looked absolutely comfortable in the middle and a straight hit of Hauritz, over the top of the bowler, just short of being a six confirmed his confidence. For a while both he and Kamal attacked the off-spinner, moving their feet and more often than not getting down the track to the bowler. Faisal especially started to attack a little too much for comfort and in trying to cut one that spun sharp, lost his off stump. The right-hander missed his 50 by two runs and Pakistan at this stage looked precariously placed at 116 for three.

 

Joining Yousuf for company after Faisal's wicket was Umar Akmal, the best thing that has happened to Pakistan batting lately. He continued the onslaught on Hauritz, carting the bowler for 12 runs in an over, including two square cut boundaries. Then things quitened for a while as close of play donned near. Three overs prior to the end of day, Ponting introduced Simon Katich into the attack who immediately kind of yielded dividends. Of his first ball, Hauritz at mid-on dropped Akmal and of the very next delivery the same batsman survived a close stumping call.

 

The partnership wasn't supposed to be broken today as the duo at the close of play had stitched a good 54 runs together. Pakistan ended Day four at 170 for 3, still needing 252 more runs for a victory and it would be pertinent for the two players at the crease to stay there for a longer period tomorrow if the tourists need to come anywhere close to a win.