Australia are ecstatic after securing a narrow win over Pakistan

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia were given a run for their money on the final day of the first Test in Brisbane as Pakistan attempted to chase down a mammoth total of 490 to clinch, what would have been, an incredible come-from-behind win.

Despite Pakistan’s best efforts, they were unable to get over the finish line and Australia walked away with a 39-run win.

Starting off the day on 382/8, Asad Shafiq and Yasir Shah began the day on a positive note as they kept the scoreboard ticking and brought Pakistan ever closer to victory.

The pair converted their four-run partnership into a 71-run stand before Shafiq was dismissed by Mitchell Starc for a career-best 137, which came off 207 balls and included 13 boundaries and a six.

Shafiq etched his name into the record books with his knock as it was the highest individual score in the fourth innings of a Test match at the Gabba. The previous record belonged to legendary India batsman Sunil Gavaskar, who made 113 in December 1977.

It was all over for Pakistan four balls later as Yasir was run out by Australia captain Steven Smith for 33. With Yasir gone, the tourists were bowled out for 450, which was their highest fourth innings total in Test history, with the previous best being 382/3 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in July last year.

Starc was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Jackson Bird snapped up three and Nathan Lyon chipped in with two.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq heaped praise on his side for their fighting spirit, and said: “I’m happy because, after the first innings, the way we got all out, it was looking difficult for us to come back. Wonderful. Special knocks from tail-enders also. Amir showed resilience. That was a superb knock from Shafiq. I’m happy and proud the way we played in the fourth innings.

“I always believe in this team, that’s why we’ve been performing well in the last six years. All individuals can give you something special. We knew Yasir can chip in and he can help Shafiq. Even when Shafiq got out there was hope. After what we showed in the last couple of days, everyone believes, the team more than anyone else.”

Smith was relieved to have won the match, and said: “Lost all my fingernails. some game of cricket, wasn’t it. Asad played an unbelievable innings. It was hard work. Lot of credit to the way they played. Our quicks kept coming back, that wicket showed the class of Starc. You’ve always got hope, one wicket away. They didn’t give us a sniff until the end.

“Wouldn’t have enforced the follow-on, to give our bowlers a rest. We’ve seen in day-night Tests, wickets fall under lights with the new ball. I’m sure the ratings would have been amazing as well. Nice to hit ’em, not sure what Yasir was doing there.”

Shafiq was named Man of the Match, and said: “I was hitting the ball well in the nets. A matter of time before I had a good innings. (The tail) showed a lot of courage and funk. We almost chased 490, because of our tail. There was energy (in the morning), thinking we had to go for a match. I was not expecting that from Starc, he bowled a couple of really good spells.”