For over a decade and a half Pakistan cricket team could play their matches at home due to security concerns. During that period the men in green shifted base to UAE to play their home game across formats. On the 19th of October 2018, fast bowler Mohammad Abbas made history.
The right-arm seamer picked 10 wickets in the game during the 2nd Test match between Pakistan and Australia in Abu Dhabi. This helped Pakistan win the game by a massive 373 run margin as Abbas grabbed fifers in both innings.
This was the first time any pace bowler had managed to achieve such a feat in UAE. Australian team was in a period of transition as they had lost both Steve Smith and David Warner earlier that year due to the sandpaper gate.
Mohammad Abbas scripts history
Pakistan batted first and scored 282 in their first innings. At one stage the home team was reduced to 57/5 as Nathan Lyon ran riot with the ball. Fakhar Zaman and Sarfaraz Ahmed then added 147 runs for the 6th wicket. Both batters were out for 94 runs each.
Fakhar Zaman scored his runs off 198 balls with 8 fours and one six. Sarfaraz Ahmed got his knock off 129 balls with 7 hits to the fence. Nathan Lyon was the best bowler for Australia with 4/78 from 21 overs, while Marnus Labuschagne picked 3 wickets.
In reply Australia were bowled out for 145 with Aaron Finch scoring 39 and Mitchell Starc scoring 34. Mohammad Abbas picked 5/33 from 12.4 overs as he dismissed Usman Khawaja, Peter Siddle, Travis Head, Shaun Marsh and Mitchell Starc. Bilal Asif picked the other 3 wickets for the home team.
Pakistan had an over lead of 137 and scored 400/9 declared in their 2nd innings. Babar Azam was the best batter as he was out for 99 off 171 balls. Fakhar Zaman scored his 2nd fifty of the game to be dismissed for 66. Azhar Ali scored a patient 64 while Sarfaraz Ahmed scored 81 off 123 balls with 5 fours and a six.
Australia needing 538 to win were all out for 164 with Khawaja not batting in 2nd the innings. Abbas picked 5/62 from 17 overs as Australia were all out for 164 to lose by a massive margin of 373 runs. In the end Abbas ended with figures of 10/95 as Pakistan won the series 1-0 and Mohammad Abbas was the best bowler with 17 wickets.
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