Wasim Jaffer, a former Indian opener is upset with the ongoing Test between Pakistan and Australia as he feels it is a bad advertisement for the format.

The former Punjab Kings batting coach Wasim Jaffer believes instead of over rates, lifeless pitches are a threat to Test cricket.

Imam-ul-Haq Scores Ton In Both Innings In The Drawn 1st Test

The visitors Australia’s bowling line-up toiled for 162 overs after losing the toss as Pakistan accumulated 476-4, batting for two days. Azhar Ali top-scored with 185 and shared a mammoth stand of 208 with Imam-ul-Haq, who made his maiden Test hundred.

In reply, Australia received a brilliant start as Usman Khawaja and David Warner put together an opening stand of 185. However, the top four, including Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith missed out on well-deserving centuries.

Australia’s innings was wrapped up in the first four overs of the day when it was all out for 459 after resuming on 449-7. Left-arm spinner Nauman Ali took a career-best 6-107 on the grassless pitch to give Pakistan a 17-run, first-innings lead.

Imam-ul-Haq followed his 157 in the first innings total of 476-4 declared with an unbeaten 111 in his first test since November 2019. Imam-ul-Haq’s opening partner, Abdullah Shafique, also prospered to record his maiden test hundred and was unbeaten on 136 when Pakistan finished the fifth and final day on 252-0 in its second innings, leading by 269 runs.

Wasim Jaffer Reckons Biggest Threat To Tests Are Dead Pitches

Wasim Jaffer, an active former cricketer on social media, took a dig at the Test by saying it is surprising to see teams lose points in the World Test Championship cycle due to over rates despite most Tests finishing in four days. Instead, the 44-year old tweeted that such high-scoring games are unhealthy for the format.

“I find it amusing when Test matches get over inside four days yet teams lose WTC points for overrate. The biggest threat to Test cricket is not overrate. Tests rarely go to day 5 anyway nowadays. The biggest threat to Test cricket is dead pitches. Dead pitch = Dead game,” Wasim Jaffer wrote on Twitter.

It is fair to say that Australia and Pakistan – two teams with gun bowling line-ups, will want to forget this Test. Skipper Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne picked up a wicket each in the first innings. As for the home side, left-arm spinner Nauman Ali picked 6 scalps.