Australia’s “much-vaunted” attack was outplayed by Pakistan’s less-acclaimed bowling unit in the first Test and captain Pat Cummins might need to give his troops “a rev-up”, according to Simon Katich.
The former Test opening batter gave a dismal critique of how Australia’s bowlers had performed in the match as it fizzled to a draw on day five.
Despite the lifelessness of the Rawalpindi wicket, Katich argued that taking four wickets in the match wasn’t good enough.
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“It’s an interesting stage here for Australia … When you go back through this Test match, both teams have played on the same wicket. Yes, Pakistan had the best conditions in the first innings with the bat … But Australia have only managed to take four wickets for the whole Test. Pakistan managed to bowl Australia out,” Katich said on Fox Cricket.
“On the surface, their bowling attack has out-bowled this much-vaunted Australian bowling line-up in this Test match. It’s young, it’s fresh, but they’ve made things happen.
“So that’s the challenge for the Australians here.
“They don’t want to go into the next Test only having taken four wickets in the complete Test.
“So, there’s a bit of pride at stake.
“I just wonder if the next challenge for Pat Cummins as captain is to give his group a bit of a rev-up here, because … this is playing into Pakistan’s hands and these two openers for the rest of the series.”
Katich was referring to Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq, who finished the match with 157 and an unbeaten 111, and batting partner Abdullah Shafique, who made 44 and 136 not out.
Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon particularly struggled, registering the match figures of 1-236 from 78 overs.
Pakistan left-arm orthodox tweaker Nauman Ali had a much more fruitful outing, capturing 6-107 from 38 overs in Australia’s only innings with the bat.
Katich pointed out that a confrontational approach on the back of the first match would be in contrast to Cummins’ personality.
“Pat Cummins is a pretty relaxed guy, but there’s a challenge here for him as captain to potentially let the Australian group that what they’re serving up at the moment is not quite at the intensity of Test level,” Katich.
The second Test, to be played in Karachi, will begin on Saturday.
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