Rishabh Pant Has Genuine Fans Across The Border: Pakistan have been left well behind in the third Test versus Australia, and the series, by the close of Day 3 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Following the two draws in Rawalpindi and Karachi, both the teams wanted to take a first-innings lead to force for a win in the third Test. But, by the end of the third day, on Wednesday, it’s the visitors who have their noses ahead.
Australia scored 391 runs in the first innings on the back of half-centuries from four of their batsmen. Pakistan also replied solidly with fifties from three of their top four – until the side collapsed in typical Pakistani fashion.
Aussie skipper Pat Cummins picked a five-wicket haul and Mitchell Starc snapped up four wickets as both the fast bowlers produced terrific spells of reverse swing to force Pakistan into collapsing from 214/3 to 268 all out.
Amid this, one Pakistani cricket fan, whose Twitter handle is @hazharoon expressed frustrations over Pakistan’s batting approach throughout the series. The hosts have been criticised for being unable to force the issue with the bat on flat, lifeless, benign surfaces in the first two Tests, and they carried the same defensive approach in Lahore, although the Australian bowlers too needed to be commended here for keeping things tight.
This particular Twitter user asserted that Pakistan Test team need someone like India’s Rishabh Pant, who can take the attack to the opposition bowlers, make them commit mistakes and speed up the run rate. He reckons Rishabh Pant, who has an average of 40 and strike rate of 70 in Test cricket, is a perfect batter for counter-attacking in Test cricket.
“I wish Pakistan had someone like Rishabh Pant in the middle order who averages 40 at a strike rate of 70. Sick of this defensive draw first approach,” the user tweeted.
I wish Pakistan had someone like Rishabh Pant in the middle order who averages 40 at a strike rate of 70. Sick of this defensive draw first approach? #PAKvAUS
— hazharoon (@hazharoon) March 23, 2022
Australian opener David Warner and Usman Khawaja survived the final three overs on Day 3 and Australia’s lead now is 134. Failing to bowl Pakistan out in two days in the second Test, the Aussie bowlers have given their side another great chance to register a Test match and series win on their first tour to Pakistan in 24 years.
