ABU DHABI // Misbah-ul-Haq has seen most things in life and most things in his 31 Tests as captain as well. What he had never seen before was an opportunity for his side to enforce the follow-on on the opposition.
Whether or not follow-ons are enforced reveal something about captains. So in choosing not to make Australia bat again, despite sitting on a 309-run lead, what did Misbah, ever inscrutable, reveal of himself?
His bowlers were magnificent in dismissing Australia for 261 on the third day at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. On the same pitch, remember, on which Pakistan had earlier declared on 570.
But they tired as Australia’s lower order put up resistance as the day wore on and ended up bowling nearly 70 overs to bowl them out. That, as well as the admittedly slim prospects of having to chase even a small target on the last day likely convinced Misbah to bat again.
And with a series lead in the bag, it has never been Misbah’s style to risk a Test win if it could hamper the chances of not winning the series. Few will blame him in this instance, given that he could become the first Pakistani in 20 years to beat Australia in a series.
Grant Flower, Pakistan’s batting coach, was not privy to the decision, but suggested as much.
“Some of our bowlers were a bit tired, especially just the way it dragged on a little bit at the end. I think they just wanted the bowlers to come back and have a little breather.
“We’re trying to get to the stage where there is only one winner, especially being one-up in series. That is our thinking, if we can play them out of the game and set them something they can’t chase there can only be one winner.
Ultimately, it should not deflect from Pakistan’s bowling on Saturday. For a second Test in a row, a green attack came together in a whirl of reverse swing and spin far greater than its international experience is worth.
Zulfiqar Babar, Rahat Ali and Yasir Shah took two wickets each, Imran Khan took three and Mohammad Hafeez one. There was a pleasing egalitarianism in the sharing of the spoils.
Each one offered a distinct threat, too. Babar’s slider – the one that skids straight on – caused Australia problems early on. Imran found reverse and the castling of Michael Clarke’s middle stump was a highlight.
All told, as they do every year now, they showed the opposition how to bowl in Abu Dhabi. It has happened too often that when Pakistan bat early on, the surface feels as if there is nothing in it. When they come onto bowl, however, the surface suddenly comes alive.
It does not change of course. Pakistan’s pacemen bowled better lengths and got more from both old and new ball.
Their spinners were just better than Australia’s.
Australia did at least have some moments of cheer. Mitchell Marsh’s debut fifty looked like it could be the first of a few. There was in his shot-making a conviction that most of the others lacked.
“I just went out there and tried to play my natural game,” he said. “Obviously it was tough to be losing wickets around me but I tried to put that out of my head and bat the way I do. It was good fun to get a few runs but as we know, we’re behind the eight-ball in this game.”
They bowled well in a brief afternoon flurry, Mitchell Johnson especially but it is likely too late.
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
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