The thrilling Karachi test between Pakistan and Australia ended in a draw but it did produce a result of appreciation from the tourists for the crowd, who turned up with exciting banners to witness the game and cheer for their sides.
Skipper Babar Azam produced a career-best 196 under immense pressure as Pakistan snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat in the second test against Australia on Wednesday. Chasing a record 506 for an improbable win, Pakistan's best bet was to bat out the final day and Babar led by example as they finished on 443-7, the sixth-highest fourth innings total of all time.
Taking to social media, Australian cricketers, who are touring Pakistan after 24 years of gap, shared their moment of the game and praised the crowd.
In an Instagram post, Australian skipper Pat Cummins said the five days in Karachi were hard-fought but he “loved the test cricket.”
The Karachi test was also special as being the host to many records being broken by the test skipper. Babar’s heroics and a knock of 196 against Australia earned him many laurels. Babar’s 196 is the highest score by a Pakistani batsman in the fourth innings of a Test match. Moreover, the same knock is also the highest score by a captain of any nationality in the fourth innings of a Test match. Lastly, he consumed 425 balls, which makes his knock the longest ever in the fourth innings by a Pakistani batter in Test cricket.
Former skipper and middle-order batter Steve Smith used the same tone and heaped praise for Pakistani Captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan.
Similarly, right-handed batter Marnus Labuschagne thanked the crowd and appreciated the team effort.
Opening batter David Warner, who has been entertaining the crowd with his dance moves, also appreciated the crowd.
Furthermore, the Pakistan Cricket Board had also thanked the Karachi crowd for turning up for the match. "Thank you for being an electric crowd, for hosting Test cricket at NSK and becoming part of this historic tour with us," the PCB said in a Twitter post.
Both the teams have gone to Lahore, for the final and decider match of the series.
