Rain makes or mars Pakistan’s day?

While the platform is set for visitor’s domination, an Australian counterattack is the last thing to rule out

Rain gods twice hampered Pakistan’s progress on day two of the Melbourne Test. For the optimistic, the rain dampened the tourists’ chances of making forays into the opposition after an impressive batting performance by the lower half of the order for the second successive Test, en route to a historic win.

For the cynic, the rain came as timely intervention to increase Pakistan’s chances of halting the harrowing run of successive Test defeats in Australia which stands at 10 at the moment.

With only three days left in the Test, Pakistan indeed have to take the bull by the horns and force Australia on the back foot on day three. Ideally the overnight batsmen — Azhar Ali and Muhammad Amir — and the ones yet to bat should look for a dash at the bowlers and push Pakistan’s score past the 350-run mark in the first half an hour of play.

More rain and overcast conditions are forecasted for the third day and onwards which means that Amir and Sohail Khan will have great conditions to bowl under; the ball jagged around for Australian bowlers and Pakistan batsmen weathered the storm gainfully especially against the nagging accuracy of Josh Hazelwood.

The two new-ball bowlers will surely test the Australian top-order if they bowl to their full potential without getting carried away or conversely getting overawed by the occasion or the possibilities of averting Pakistan’s woeful run Down Under.

The euphoria of the Gabba comeback pushed on the back-burner the poor returns of Pakistan’s attack and the four-pronged bowling combination is under the scanner and increasing pressure due to their recent failures.

Pakistan bowlers need to raise their game and deliver after failing to make hay on the green New Zealand tracks. And considering the conditions and the spin on offer at the Melbourne pitch, Misbahul Haq’s men have a tremendous launching pad and the onus is firmly on the bowlers.

The present 310 total with two days done can become incredibly tricky for the brittle and inexperienced Australian batting line-up against a hopping ball and an ‘alert’ slip cordon.

Amir, Sohail and Wahab Riaz must come hard at the Australian batsmen with meaningful bursts to make the batting effort count; Yasir should also make the ball spin and bounce here. Pakistan identified the chinks in the Aussie armoury at Gabba and now have the opportunity of turning the cracks into craters even amid the possibility of limited action.

Since intermittent spells of rain are likely to be a constant in the remainder of the Test, Pakistan have to stay proactive and make every (mini) session count by chipping away at the Australian batsmen.

While the platform is set for Pakistan’s domination, an Australian counterattack is the last thing to rule out especially in their own backyard.

David Warner, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja can hit back and take the initiative away especially if they are let off by the fielders early-on. If the Australians take a 50 to 100 runs lead, they can build pressure on day four and five and the mercurial nature of Pakistan’s batting can then throw in the spanner to their bids of breaking the Australian jinx.

It’s all to play for, despite the heavy loss of play, the Boxing Day Test is alive and kicking.