What the numbers say ahead of first Test between Pakistan and Australia

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Pakistan team is all set to face Australia in the first of the two-match Test series in Dubai from October 7 which is why it is an opportune moment to take a look at their head-to-head record.

First encounter

The two teams first squared off at the National Stadium in Karachi way back in 1956-1957. Despite Australia’s past experience in the game, Pakistan came on top and thrashed the visitors by nine wickets. Fazal Mohammad was the star of the show with six and seven wickets in the first and second innings respectively.

Overall figures

Both teams have competed against each other 62 times in the longest format of the game with Australia having the upper hand with 31 wins against Pakistan’s 14, while the remaining 17 matches between the two sides ended in a draw.

Most runs

For Pakistan, former captain Javed Miandad has enjoyed batting against the Aussies as he scored 1,797 runs with the help of six centuries.

Meanwhile, Allan Border is the top scorer for Australia with 1,666 runs. He also scored the same number of centuries as Miandad.

Highest run-scorer in an innings

As far as highest run-scorer in an innings for Pakistan is concerned, Saleem Malik dominates with his staggering knock of 237 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium during the 1994-1995 tour.

On the other hand from Australia, Mark Taylor enjoyed a good run with the bat when he smashed 334 at the Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar during the 1998-1999 tour. This is still the highest score by a batsman in Australia-Pakistan series.

Rare feat

Pakistan’s Younis Khan, Misbahul Haq and Azhar Ali hold the record for scoring centuries in both innings against Australia. They achieved this unique record during Australia’s tour of the UAE in 2014-2015.

Relative experience

Currently, Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali will be playing as the most experienced batsman in the series with 65 Test matches to his name.

Meanwhile, Australia seriously lack experience in their side as Usman Khwaja is the most capped batsman in the side with 33 games to his name.

Most wickets

Australia spinner Shane Warne has dominated the bowling department with 90 wickets in 15 games while Pakistan’s World Cup winning captain Imran Khan has bagged 64 wickets in 18 games.

Currently, Yasir Shah is the leading wicket taker for Pakistan 20 wickets in five games whereas Mitchell Starc has picked up 16 wickets in four games.

Best bowling figures

Bowling has always played an essential part in the game between these two sides. The legendary pacer Glenn McGrath’s eight wickets for 24 runs are the best bowling figures for the Aussies against Pakistan. This magical performance came during 2004-2005 series.

Meanwhile Sarfraz Nawaz’s 9-86 runs is the best bowling performance in an innings for Pakistan. He took these figures during Pakistan's tour of the Australia in 1978-1979 in Melbourne.