5 thrilling draws in Test cricket

Pakistan vs Australia, October 2018

Dubai International Cricket Stadium

In only his second match as Test captain, Tim Paine displayed steely resolve to survive tense moments and lead his team to a well-earned draw

A weakened Aussie side sans their two best batsmen and led by a makeshift skipper, the slow and low tracks of Dubai and Pakistan at their adopted home. Not one would have given the Aussies a chance of a fight at the start of this Test.

The script seemed predictable when centuries from comeback man Mohammad Hafeez and Haris Sohail helped Pakistan post a formidable 482. In their reply, the Aussies flattered to deceive after a 142 run opening partnership by ‘debutant’ Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja and were bowled out for 202 in their first innings.

Pakistan added another 181 to the first innings lead, giving the visitors a huge 462 runs to chase or rather, plenty of overs to survive.

Heavily criticised for his poor returns in the subcontinent, Usman Khawaja churned out a gem of an innings that gave Aussies hope, ably supported by Travis Head’s 72 – the duo batted out close to 50 overs.

Khawaja's 141 runs of resistance was a marathon of 300 deliveries and close to 9 hours at the crease. Yet, once both departed, Pakistan still had more than a sniff at victory.

Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle didn’t last long and captain Tim Paine and Nathan Lyon had to survive another 13 overs to scrape through. Paine, who survived close to 200 deliveries for his unbeaten 61, and Lyon played out the same to end what was Australia’s longest ever fourth innings with a hard-fought draw.