Pakistan won the toss during the Pink Test and elected to bat in Sydney on January 3. Things went south from the first two overs as openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub went for ducks. Shan Masood and Babar Azam didn’t fare well either, as the duo managed only 35 and 26. They lost their 5th wicket at 97 runs.
Mohammad Rizwan managed to bring some stability back, scoring a much required 88, but by the 55th over they were 227/9. Newcomer Aamer Jamal and Mir Hamza were the last batters left. Instead of letting the Australian bowlers bully them, Jamal started a counter attack that got Pakistan over the 300 run mark.
The duo had a partnership of 86, out of which Jamal scored 79 runs. His entertaining knock included 9 boundaries and 4 sixes. In one of his most outrageous shots of the match, he reversed-sweep Nathon Lyon for a six.
Reverse sweep six! Are you kidding! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/vmjG1IzpUs
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2024
He brought up his fifty in style, by playing an uppercut to Mitchell Starc for four. As he hit those runs, he took off his helmet to celebrate. He finally got out to Nathon Lyon. Jamal tried to clear the long-on boundary by stepping out, but found Starc instead. He departed with 82 runs on the board, with the teams total being 313.
I have struggled a lot to get this far, but I never gave up. It means the world to me. Jamal said after the game on Day 1
Many netizens praised the young Jamal for his efforts in saving the Pakistan innings. If it wasn’t for his counter-attacking innings, Pakistan could’ve been bundled out on a below par score. Many said his innings was better than any century. Some said that he deserved a century for his efforts and was unlucky.
Check out their reaction below:
Well played Aamer Jamal. This 82 is better than any hundred. Best inning from any Pakistani Batsmen in this series.. well played.
— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) January 3, 2024
Pakistan should be pleased with the recovery. From 97/5 to 313 has been just . Rizwan led the counter, Salman played a good hand & Jamal delivered the punch. Really really good game from Pakistan.
— Anurag Rekhi (@Dravidict) January 3, 2024
What an innings by him, find of this series for Pakistan
— Kirkett (@bhaskar_sanu08) January 3, 2024
What a recovery by Pakistan, 97 for 5 to 313 for 10 at SCG.
— जय श्री राम (@JaiShreeRam90) January 3, 2024
Star of the show is Aamer Jamal, batting at 9 and scored 82 runs from just 97 balls – What a knock, one to remember ⭐
Amir Gutsy Jamal ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/9XO8V1KaSC
— ⁵⁶ (@Abdullahs_56) January 3, 2024
Jamal show is just might be a saviour for Pak
— Raj Paladi (@IamRajPaladi) January 3, 2024
Aamer Jamal has a fantastic attitude and a fearless approach to the way he plays. He's been excellent throughout this series
— Muhammad shahab (@Shahab_0663) January 3, 2024
Dream for Pandya and Stokes pic.twitter.com/znELK8CswD
— Furkan (@tweetbyfurkan) January 3, 2024
This innings might be the difference in the end!
— Umair Mahmood (@its_umair96) January 3, 2024
Surprise Package for Australia
— (@iaMalik01) January 3, 2024
Love to see somebody toying Aussies
— HAMZA (@HamzaQri) January 3, 2024
A perfect hook too!! What's a Talent!! Why he is into tail!!
— ******Love & Pain****** (@athaf_2006) January 3, 2024
As Jamal got out, the entire Australian team ran as fast as they could so that they could get to bat. David Warner and Usman Khawaja got to bat only one over, but all 6 balls were faced by Warner. He scored 6 runs, but was close to getting out in the 5th ball. Sajid Khan bowled a ball angling into the stump, Warner managed to block it but the ball bounced off the pitch and just hit the stumps.
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