Pakistan completed an excellent comeback performance in the second Test at Abu Dhabi to seal an emphatic victory over Australia by a margin of 373 runs and subsequently won the 2-match Test series, 1-0.
Having lost momentum after Australia made a mighty escape on Day 5 at Dubai, Pakistan found themselves in a vulnerable position at 57-5 in the first session on Day 1 at Abu Dhabi, but this is when skipper Sarfraz Ahmed(94) led from the front and stretched together a 147-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman, who played a fantastic knock of 94 on debut himself.
The seventh-wicket duo proved to be a game changing, match-winning one, as they helped Pakistan through a fighting total of 282, before fast bowler Mohammad Abbas gave an exhibition of great skills and ran through the Australian batting line up across both innings, with match figures of 10-95.
Abbas bagged 5-62 and 5-33, as Australia got bowled out for 145 and 164, either side of Pakistan's third innings effort of 400-9 declared.
"There are a lot of lessons [from this win]," Sarfraz Ahmed was quoted saying by ICC, "First of all never give up, there are few teams that can stage such a massive win in four days after losing five wickets in the first session," he expressed, "As a captain, I have learnt that I have to keep fighting and keep telling the remaining players not to throw their wickets away."
"The contribution by tail becomes very important in such a scenario. Bilal Asif, Yasir Shah, and Mohammad Abbas's contributions with the bat helped. This is what we have learned," he added, "The way we staged the comeback, it makes us look more mentally strong than Australia. Credit goes to Fakhar Zaman on how he played with me. And, then in the second innings again. Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam all of the batters. Pakistan have been a better team in the series."
The performance, rightfully, got showered with praise from everyone around the world but especially pleased the former as well as current stars of Pakistan Cricket fraternity.
Congrats on the comprehensive win, well done Mohammad Abbas for killing it with the ball throughout the series. Fantastic debut-performances @FakharZamanLive and @bilalasif2411. So proud of the whole team ???????????????????????? #PakistanZindabad #PAKvsAUS ???????? pic.twitter.com/6Mfipz8AbD
— Shoaib Malik ???????? (@realshoaibmalik) October 19, 2018
What win for Pakistan team just simply great.But Abbas is something to look up for in near future what great bowling spell by him .Am shocked to see the Australian team performances in batting kind of sad to see their collapse hope they make a strong come back in India series ..
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 19, 2018
Extremely proud of our boys today. They showed good character, courage and resilience after the first test. From 57-5 and then going onto win the game by 373 runs is phenomenal ! Well done boys !
— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) October 19, 2018
Congratulations to Team Pakistan and the skipper @SarfarazA_ great achievement boys..A special Mubarak to an accurate and economical “Abbas” for bowling an unbelievable spell. He’s a Star in making #PakistanZindabad #PakvsAust
— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) October 19, 2018
Given the conditions, Pakistan's win was evident. The plus, however, is @mohmmadabbas111 's world class performance.
— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) October 19, 2018
Awesome, Accurate and Advancing ..Abbas .., he bowled brilliant lengths to take ten wickets in the match.., congrats young man... you have miles to go and I am convinced you will continue rising to become one of the best.. all the best .
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) October 19, 2018
Well done Team Pakistan , great series win vs @CAComms , PAKISTAN ???????? ZINDABAD pic.twitter.com/oROSzqEGZV
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 19, 2018
Congratulations!
— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) October 19, 2018
Team Pakistan on tremendous victory against Australia specially @Mohmmadabbas111 on taking 10 wickets.
Good luck for T20
Outstanding performance by team Pakistan! Abbas is a brilliant performer in any conditions. Very well led by Sarfraz, great debut by Fakhar. Hope this great run of form continues! ????????
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 19, 2018