Starc, Cummins Shine as Pakistan Reach 203: A Tight First Day in the Ashes
The first day of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston witnessed a thrilling battle between Australia and Pakistan, with the visitors finishing on a respectable 203/4 at stumps. The day was dominated by the Australian pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who exploited the overcast conditions to keep the Pakistani batsmen on the backfoot.
Starc's Fury and Cummins' Control
The left-arm speedster Starc was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets in his first spell. His pace and accuracy were evident as he troubled the Pakistani top order with a relentless barrage of deliveries. He dismissed Imam-ul-Haq (10) and Abdullah Shafique (13) early, while Babar Azam (71) also fell to his fiery bowling.
Cummins, on the other hand, bowled with impeccable control, keeping a tight lid on the scoring rate and picking up the crucial wicket of Shan Masood (78). He continued to apply pressure throughout the day, making it difficult for the Pakistani batsmen to score freely.
Babar Azam's Resolute Stand
Despite the early setbacks, Pakistan managed to recover thanks to a brilliant knock from their captain Babar Azam. The right-hander anchored the innings with a patient and composed innings, scoring 71 runs off 136 balls. He shared crucial partnerships with Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan (44*), ensuring that Pakistan stayed in the game.
A Tight Contest Ahead
The first day of the Ashes Test witnessed a tight contest, with the Australians holding a slight advantage going into the second day. However, Pakistan showed their resilience and determination, with the likes of Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf still in the crease. The second day promises to be another exciting battle, with the Australian bowlers looking to exploit the conditions and the Pakistani batsmen aiming to build a substantial lead.
With the series still wide open, the next few days are sure to be filled with intense cricketing action. Stay tuned for more updates as the first Ashes Test unfolds at Edgbaston.