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The smell of a historic Test match is indescribable,
but familiar to everyone who have awakened on that momentous morning is.
Australia is 241 ahead of Pakistan, which may be too far ahead now, and
Pakistan already feels sorrow for it. That was undoubtedly Mitchell Marsh’s
opinion, as his 96 put them in that commanding position, following his 76-run
outing, when he was removed by Abdullah Shafique from a slip cordon. Pakistan,
however, thinks they have managed to make it through. They have been in the bunker
long enough, eager to inflict damage but, up until now, reluctant to attack,
amid the cricketing wasteland that Australia is to visiting teams.
Pakistan does launch an early morning attack, though
maybe not quickly enough. In the last few partnerships, 22, 28, 12, and 13 were
added. The first to hit is Shaheen Afridi, who takes a cut off Mitchell Starc.
The man who ought to have been there the entire time dives low to make a great
catch this time. Pakistan has made the breakthrough thanks to Babar Azam. The
way you feel, they’ll require him now.
Babar Azam and Shan Masood are out there together.
Even though the two have never been the greatest of friends, their current
project is too vital to let even petty differences stand in the way of it.
Though until recently, any reference to Masood and
Babar in the same sentence only served to emphasise how dysfunctional Pakistani
cricket was, the captain and his predecessor are now functioning as a unit.
When it’s necessary, Shan takes the initiative and builds on his first innings
half-century with a blow that suggests something even bigger. By anticipating
the short ball and putting himself on the front foot early, he increases the
scoring rate. Babar, on the other hand, stands back, more circumspect but just
as confident.
The collaboration reaches 50, the sum surpasses 100,
and trust increases again. And last, the dagger. Whenever Australia’s bowlers
have failed to live up to expectations, Cummins has risen to the occasion. It
takes Masood just three deliveries to find the winning delivery as he comes
around the wicket. Masood is defending with powerful hands as it wobbles off
the stump. A similar nick fell just inches short of Khawaja on the second day,
but Steve Smith made a great catch.
While Australia is smelling victory after four days,
Rizwan and Agha appear to be planning something. Rizwan is playing the most
assured, low-percentage shots on both sides, yet he always seems uneasy and
uneasy. Agha won’t fall behind, and that swivel-pull off the ribs to Cummins is
a clue of the kind of attitude he’s in. He is hit in the helmet, and after a
protracted protocol for concussions, he whips his watery wrists to send him to
third man. Hazlewood’s edge soars away for four more, and Rizwan’s deft flick
offside clears the slips and comes hurtling down.
The top five chases at this ground are displayed on
the MCG scorecard. Before stepping up to guard the next ball, Rizwan takes a
quick look at the scoreboard. In an attempt to put a stop to Pakistan’s final
uprising, Cummins delivers what in cricket is called a body serve, which is
positioned in the centre and rises steadily while remaining low enough to
prevent a duck.
Rizwan moves aside, keeping his bat out of the way and
arching his back. But Australia doesn’t view it that way. The technology displays a spike and a mark on
Rizwan’s wristband, but he keeps pointing at a mark on his forearm to show
where the impact occurred.
The early evening brightness gives way to evening
clouds by the time the last wicket is taken. However, not many of those Warne
stand supporters are around to witness it. When they’ve seen it all before,
there doesn’t appear to be much purpose. Once again, the star and crescent are
folded away, and the Southern Cross is visible everywhere.
We’ll have to wait for one more test, maybe for
another series, maybe for another generation. However, Pakistani belief is the
one thing that last longer than heartache in Australia. And that is precisely
why there are days like today at the MCG—the allure of nostalgia and the scent
of promise.