In a remarkable feat, Aamer Jamal etched his name into an exclusive list, displaying an outstanding performance during the ongoing third Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Jamal now joins the esteemed company of only two other Pakistani cricket legends, Imran Khan and Wasim Akram, who have managed to score 100+ runs and take 10+ wickets in a Test series in Australia.
The third Test in Sydney witnessed Pakistan being dismissed for 313 on the opening day. In response, Australia reached 6-0 by the end of the day’s play, with David Warner, in his final Test appearance, making a stylish entrance by smashing a four on the first ball bowled by Sajid Khan. The occasion was marked by a guard of honour from the Pakistani team to honor Warner, drawing applause from the entire crowd.
Aamer Jamal played a pivotal role in steering Pakistan to a competitive total, contributing a crucial fifty lower down the order. Jamal, along with tailender Mir Hamza, displayed resilience, adding 86 runs for the last wicket, rescuing Pakistan from a precarious position at 227-9. Jamal’s impressive innings of 82 runs off 97 balls, inclusive of nine fours and four sixes, played a crucial role in achieving this feat.
Earlier in the innings, Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman led a spirited recovery after a shaky start for Pakistan. Rizwan and Salman formed a vital 94-run partnership, with Rizwan scoring a blazing 88 before falling victim to Pat Cummins just before tea. Cummins, the standout bowler with figures of 5-61, secured his place in history by becoming the first Australian since Nathan Lyon in 2017 to achieve three consecutive five-wicket hauls in Tests.
Despite the resilience shown by the Pakistani batsmen, Australia emerged victorious in the three-match series, securing a 79-run win in the second Test in Melbourne. Aamer Jamal’s commendable performance in the ongoing Test adds a new chapter to Pakistan’s cricket history, aligning him with the illustrious names of Imran Khan and Wasim Akram in their achievements on Australian soil.
