Australia blew its first review against Imam, an aggressive lbw review, with ball tracking showing the ball comfortably flying over the stumps.
In the 11th over, Pat Cummins got the outside edge of Shafique, but the ball dropped short of David Warner at first slip.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey did not attempt to grab the ball as it went in-between the pair for four, as it had done several times throughout the Ashes. Early on, Carey misgloved a couple of deliveries to Nathan Lyon’s spin, including a difficult opportunity down legside.
Cummins called in off-spinner Lyon to bowl the eighth over of the innings, and he found plenty of turns right away. The early debate was whether Australia had made a mistake by selecting only one specialist spinner.
Lyon just beat the outside edge of Shafique in his next over, who had previously been dropped at leg slip the ball, although off a very tough opportunity. Australia did not take any chances in the match, instead of relying on their tried-and-true three-quick.
Pakistan has already scored 78 runs in the first 25 overs with little or no trouble. On a spinning track, Australia will be batting in the fourth innings which will surely trouble Australian batsmen.
Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique have provided a solid start to Pakistan. Imam-ul-Haq scored the 4th fifty of his career in the first match. For Australia, Cummins was off-colour in the first match.
Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc have bowled economically but failed to bag any wickets. A lot has been left on Nathon Lyon’s shoulders. He is a persistent and determined bowler. It won’t take him long to find the first breakthrough.
The partnership is inching towards 100 runs without losing any wickets. That will set the right tone for Pakistan who are hosting Australia in a home series after a 24 years hiatus.