Babar's 196 and Rizwan's hundred earn Pakistan epic draw
Against all the odds, the hosts batted through 171.4 overs, finishing 63 short of the target
12/03Result
2nd Test, Australia tour of Pakistan at Karachi, Mar 12-16 2022
-
![Australia]( "Australia")
556/9d & 97/2d -
![Pakistan]( "Pakistan")
148 & 443/7 (171.4 ov)
Player of the Match
12/03Result
2nd Test, Australia tour of Pakistan at Karachi, Mar 12-16 2022
-
![Australia]( "Australia")
556/9d & 97/2d -
![Pakistan]( "Pakistan")
148 & 443/7 (171.4 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 5
'If we took a couple of catches it might be a different scenario' - Pat Cummins rues missed chances
Captain hails Swepson despite the debutant legspinner going wicketless and conceding 156 in the fourth innings
Babar Azam: 'This innings holds a lot of meaning for me'
Pakistan's captain was thrilled by the crowd that showed up at the National Stadium to watch the final day unfold
When Babar, Shafique and Rizwan made Karachi dream
A coalition of the tragics and the curious revel in the shape-shifting narrative arc of Test cricket
Babar Azam's record knock, Pakistan's marathon effort, and more
Hosts batted 171.4 overs, as Australia debutant Mitchell Swepson finished with 0 for 156, third-worst for a bowler on debut
Day 4
Babar Azam 102*, Abdullah Shafique 71* as Pakistan fight after Australia set them 506
The visitors had declared their second innings on 97, and asked the hosts to survive 172 overs
Ghosts of Sydney cast uneasy shadow over Australia's Karachi quest
They remain on course for a rare win in Asia, but recent near-misses will be in the back of their minds
Ice-cool Babar Azam unshaken by Karachi pressure cooker
With rumours swirling, vultures hovering and the sword of Damocles hanging over him, Babar simply batted, and bat well, he did
Day 3
Mitchell Starc's reverse-swing masterclass rips through Pakistan as Australia dominate
Visitors ended Day 3 with an overall lead of 489 after a first-innings lead of 408
Australia's plans pay off as seamers conjure reverse swing to cap perfect day
From the moment Cummins thundered a full delivery into Babar's pad, the visitors smelled blood and did not stop
Mohammad Yousuf: 'When the bowling is so good and reverse swing is in play, it's tough'
Pakistan batting coach was full of praise for Starc and Cummins' bowling, but believes the hosts can "fight and try and take it to the end"
Day 2
Khawaja 160 and Carey 93 grind Pakistan into the ground
On a Karachi pitch that is showing signs of deterioration, Australia have amassed 505 for 8
No slip-up for Carey this time as he takes 'little step in right direction'
The pool incident is unlikely to leave him for a while, but on the pitch, he steered Australia into pole position
Australia's front-loading puts Pakistan in danger on wearing surface
Alex Carey, who made 93, suggested that footmarks and reverse could play an increasing role on days four and five
Day 1
Khawaja's special century puts Australia on top
Khawaja and Smith capitalised on favourable batting conditions to control the opening day of the second Test
'More about enjoyment than anything else' - Usman Khawaja savours Karachi homecoming
"This is where the Khawajas are from. This is my home", he said after a century in the country of his birth
Pakistan hand over opening-day reins to Australia on a golden platter
Playing against a team they have often put on a pedestal, the hosts' use of spin was baffling, yielding little reward
Tidy Faheem Ashraf gives Pakistan an opening, but floodgates stay shut
Just when it seemed like Australia's soft underbelly could be exposed, Pakistan inexplicably moved away from seam bowling completely
Others
Is Babar Azam's 196 in Karachi a record for the fourth innings of a Test?
And what is the biggest lead in a Test in which a follow-on was not enforced?
Babar expects Pakistan to take 'momentum' into second Test after 'dominating' in Rawalpindi
Australia captain Cummins expects the Karachi wicket to "break up a bit more" after a dull draw in the first Test
Swepson 'starting to become the full package' with 'unbelievable consistency'
Queensland wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson talks about Swepson's development as he's set for a Test debut in Karachi
Mitchell Swepson in line for Karachi debut as Australia ponder two-pronged spin attack
Queenslander could become first specialist Australia legspinner to play Test cricket since Bryce McGain in 2009
All eyes on Karachi pitch for series to come alive after sedate start
Legspinner Mitchell Swepson will debut for Australia while Pakistan are expected to welcome back Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali