Shan Masood praises curator’s work after 2nd AUS vs PAK Test at MC:- After the Boxing Day Test ended, Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood had a few words of appreciation for the curator at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
With one game remaining in the series, the Men in Green lost by 79 runs in a thrilling battle.
It was a very sporty pitch at the MCG, with a four-day match between bat and ball.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Pakistan bowled out Australia for 318, with their new-look pace attack playing a key role in the match.
Shan Masood praises curator’s work after 2nd AUS vs PAK Test at MC
When Pakistan batted, Australia’s reliable fast bowlers led by captain Pat Cummins also left their mark.
Even though they were bowled out for 264, the visitors took control of the situation by restricting the hosts to 16-4 in the second innings.
Nevertheless, the Australian team recovered from the dangerous situation and gave a target of 317 runs to Pakistan.
“There’s a lot to work on but this is the blueprint we need to play Test cricket. Like I said Australia is ruthless, you need to convert 50s into 100s. I’m very happy with that.
That’s the way we played the game and I will take positive things to Sydney.
I would like to thank the ground staff, it was one of the best grounds we have played a Test on.” Pakistan captain Shaan during the post-match presentation Masood said
Talk about transmission conditions before traveling. Pakistan did not like the low and slow pitch in Canberra for the practice match against the Prime Minister’s XI.
On the other hand, Perth’s Optus Stadium provided them with a lethal surface for the first game of the series.
According to Shan Masood, we lagged by a few seconds
The decisive moment of the game came when Abdullah Shafiq lost the catch at first slip to give Mitchell Marsh another chance in the third innings.
Had the opportunity been taken, the hosts would have been behind 20-5.
Rather, the all-rounder capitalized on the opportunity to give his team the lead by scoring 96 runs off 130 balls.
“We can say we could have done this or that but in the end, it doesn’t matter. You look at the efforts and we were in a position to win at one stage, it’s pleasing to see,” Masood said.
We let a few moments slip away and then we lost. “Australia are a quality team and if you give them even a little hint like we did, you will lose,” Masood said.
The current tour of Pakistan gives them one last chance to atone for the 1995 Test match defeat in Australia.
In the third and final Test of the series against the hosts at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), the Men in Green will be hoping to avoid defeat.