Australia has another tiresome day. A few misfields and chances not taken have troubled Aussies throughout the day. However magnificent Marnus Labuschagne’s absolute screamer runout gave Australia something to rejoice about as Pakistan batted the tourists deeper into the pitch.
Pakistan has a score of 4-476, with Mohammad Rizwan on 29 and Iftikhar Ahmed on 13 points. Azhar Ali, who was caught trying an audacious reverse sweep to Labuschagne on 185, was the final wicket to go.
Before Ali, Babar Azam was run out by Labuschagne’s amazing fielding. Labuschagne, with one hand on the ball and just one stump to aim at, threw down the stumps at the non-end, striker’s with Babar barely short of his crease.
Pakistan have placed themselves in a position to bat Australia into submission in the first Test at Rawalpindi, with the score at 2-394 at lunch on day two.
Pat Cummins picked up the solitary wicket of day two when he trapped Imam-ul-Haq lbw for 157 in another challenging day for Australia’s bowlers.
On day 2, the ball showed some movement through the reverse swing. It had been nearly non-existent on the first day, which should have given Australia optimism.
When the opener ultimately fell, Pakistan made it obvious that they intend to raise the stakes as they explore a possible declaration.
While Azhar and Imam-ul-Haq’s partnership lasted 521 balls and 208 runs, Azhar and Babar had already put on 81 runs off 127 balls for the third wicket.
Azhar went from 100 to 150 in 60 balls after reaching his century when he came down the wicket to Lyon and just crossed mid-on.
He then hit another magnificent cover shot from Mitchell Starc after being at his best square of the wicket throughout his innings.
Pakistan’s foundation has allowed them to declare on 476/4. In a tiresome mode, a rise will take strenuous effort.
Both teams wore black armbands in memory of Shane Warne and the victims of Friday’s bombing in Pakistan, with Australian players wearing a second piece of tape in memory of Rod Marsh.