Imam gets second hundred, Rawalpindi run-feast ends in draw

Imam-ul-Haq smashed his second hundred in the run-feast in Rawalpindi but Australia’s first test in Pakistan in 24 years ended in a dull draw on Tuesday. Opting to bat on run-filled surface, Pakistan had made 476-4 before declaring their first innings at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

By the time they bowled out Australia for 459 on the final day, the chances of any team winning the contest had evaporated. Pakistan decided to bat on allowing Imam, who went into the match without a century in his previous 11 tests, to score his second hundred of the contest.

The bespectacled left-hander’s unbeaten 111 included seven boundaries and two sixes. Imam went on to win the man-of-the-match award. His opening partner Abdullah Shafique, who made 136 not out, also brought up his maiden test century as Pakistan posted 252 for no loss in their second innings before the teams shook hands and left.

A total of 1,187 runs were scored over five days and only 14 wickets fell in what Australia’s Steve Smith called a “pretty benign, dead wicket” which risks censure from the game’s governing body. With draw looming as the only possible result, Australia captain Pat Cummins shielded his frontline quicks and used as many as nine bowlers in Pakistan’s second innings.

Earlier, after the tourists began the final day on 449-7, Pakistan took 11 deliveries to claim the last three Australian wickets. Nauman Ali dismissed Cummins for eight, and both Mitchell Starc and Lyon fell lbw as Australia finished 17 runs behind Pakistan’s first innings total.