'Doesn't make sense': Pat Cummins under fire over 'baffling' act

Pat Cummins has come under fire after Australia's tactics were questioned on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan.

Fans and commentators were left stunned by Australia's lack of acceleration and failure to declare late on Sunday as they amassed 8-505 in Karachi.

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Wicketkeeper Alex Carey appeared to be trying to lift Australia's run rate late on the second day, and many expected captain Cummins to declare when Carey was dismissed for a brilliant 93.

But instead Cummins came out to the crease and Australia kept batting until stumps.

It marked the first time Australia has faced for more than 1000 balls in a first innings since Australia last toured of Pakistan in 1998.

“I don’t understand what the Australians are thinking here, because their run rate is still under three an over," Pakistan great Waqar Younis said in commentary.

"If they want to win this game they’ll need to get a move on."

Aussie great Simon Katich said: “I’m honestly surprised. I honestly thought they would come out here and try to move the game forward”.

Cricket analyst Rick Eyre wrote on Twitter: “Baffling tactics from Pat Cummins.

“We’re used to attacking, enterprising captaincy from the Australians and Pat Cummins hasn’t shown that today.

“He must be supremely confident that the pitch will help his spinners over the last two days."

Sports reporter Russell Bennett commented: “It doesn’t make sense. This is wasted time.”

Pakistan had copped similar criticism in their first innings of the drawn series-opener in Rawalpindi.

"Pakistan were in the same position last game but they just didn't do it, they didn't really take any opportunity to increase their run rate," Usman Khawaja said after day one in Karachi.

But Carey said it's easier said than done, revealing a declaration on Sunday was never in Australia's plans.

"The captain basically said to the batters to 'get your head around batting all day, unless the message comes otherwise'," Carey said.

"It's not the easiest wicket to score quickly on. It is starting to be a little bit variable, inconsistent, there was reverse swing at times.

"The more runs we can get in this first innings, obviously it sets us up at the back-end ... the game will move quicker going into the back-end of tomorrow, day four and day five."

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Cummins is obviously banking on the wicket deteriorating and producing more spin when Pakistan are sent in to bat, with the Aussies keen to amass as many runs as possible in their first innings and try and avoid batting again.

Carey's knock of 93 from 159 balls was the outlier for the Australians, with his highest Test score putting the tourists in a no-lose position.

But can Australia's bowlers take 20 Pakistani wickets in three days to deliver the nation a first win in nine Tests in Karachi?

"The beauty of having Mitchell Starc in our side, 145 clicks with reverse swing is going to be difficult," Carey said.

"Pat Cummins is the same and also Greeny (Cameron Green), so we have got some weapons there when the ball starts to reverse swing to hopefully utilise that.

"And then just super excited to see the two spinners.

"We know Nath (Nathan Lyon) hits a beautiful area regularly ... and Mitchell Swepson, there is enough there from the end he is going to bowl at, there's enough footmarks, there's enough variability, there's some cracks opening.

"We know it's going to be difficult to take 20 opportunities but I think the game will speed up as well."

with AAP

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