If we took a couple of catches it might be a different scenario: Pat Cummins rues dropped chances in Karachi Test

Tags: Australia tour of Pakistan 2022, Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd Test at Karachi, Mar 12-16, 2022, Australia, Pakistan

Published on: Mar 17, 2022

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Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins has stated that he does not regret his decision to not enforce the follow-on in the Karachi Test against Pakistan. He, however, did admit that the result of the match could have gone their way had they held on to some of the many chances that went to ground. Faced with a daunting task of chasing 506 in the fourth innings, Pakistan batted for 171.4 overs and scored 443 for 7 to walk away with a commendable draw. Babar Azam led from the front with classical, back-to-the-wall 196 while Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 104 to guide Pakistan after Azam’s departure.

Steven Smith dropped Abdullah Shafique on Day 4 while Usman Khawaja put down a chance offered by Rizwan with three overs still left in the Test. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne also put down chances at key moments in the game. As a result, despite posting 556 for 9 in their first innings and then rolling over Pakistan for 148, Australia could not put the finishing touches on the Test.

Speaking after the draw, Cummins commented, Think the positive thing is each time we've created more than 10 chances. [It's] probably the disappointing thing this game as well. If we took a couple of those catches it might be a different scenario.”

On the feeling after how the game ended, the skipper added that they tried everything they possibly could. He said, “In foreign conditions, we are showing that we are able to adapt and play well over here. But of course, getting so close, [being] so far ahead of the game, and not coming away with the result can feel like it's a missed opportunity."

The 28-year-old also hailed spinner Mitchell Swepson although he went wicketless in 53.4 overs in the second innings and conceded 156 runs. Speaking about the debutant, he stated, "I thought Swepo bowled fantastically today. I don't know how he's ended up with those figures. Especially that middle session, he had an umpire's call, a couple of half chances dropped off his bowling, lots of plays and misses. The way he was able to be a real wicket-taking option on a really good wicket without real footmarks to the right-handers I was just really impressed with how he went about it.”

On veteran Nathan Lyon, who gave Australia hope with late wickets, Cummins said, "Nathan, I thought he bowled well, particularly today. Felt like he was going to get a wicket every over. When I took off him to bowl Starcy or myself, it was a hard decision to make because felt like he was so close to a wicket all day."

Despite failing to win the Test, the Aussie captain stated that he is happy to end up with a 0-0 scoreline considering they were playing in alien conditions in Pakistan.

–By A Cricket Correspondent

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