Australia have a mountain to climb on day three of the first Test in Rawalpindi after Pakistan declared its first innings at 4/476.
While Pakistan have three spinners at their disposal, the Aussies start the day at 0/5 after bad light cut play short on day two.
It’s been a brutal slog for the bowlers, but Australia’s resilience against spinners on the subcontinent is sure to be tested.
Fifty for Labuschagne
Australian No 3 Marnus Labuschagne has passed fifty in Rawalpindi, reaching the milestone in 91 deliveries.
He and Steve Smith combined for a fifty-run stands soon after.
Warner falls after lunch break
Pakistan has finally unearthed its first breakthrough of the Rawalpindi Test, with off-spinner Sajid Khan removing Australian opener David Warner for 68.
The left-hander badly misjudged the length of Khan delivery that crashed halfway up middle stump, with Warner stranded trying to play a cut shot on the backfoot.
Although he didn’t reach triple figures, his Test record against Pakistan remains impeccable. His most recent Test scores against the Asian nation are 68, 335*, 154, 55, 113, 144.
As pointed out by statistician Swamp, only Sir Donald Bradman boasts a more prolific six-innings streak against a single opposition.
‘Can’t believe it’: Aussie’s cruel heartbreak
Usman Khawaja has fallen agonisingly short of a fairytale century in Rawalpindi, with the Australian opener removed for 97 on Sunday afternoon.
The Pakistan-born cricketer was on the verge of becoming the first Australian to score a Test century in Pakistan since 1998, but spinner Nauman Ali snared the crucial breakthrough in the 54th over of Australia’s first innings.
Khawaja bravely attempted a reverse sweep, only for Ali’s delivery to generate some extra bounce and strike the batter’s glove.
Imam-ul-Haq claimed a smart catch at short leg, and Pakistan captain Babar Azam called for the review after on-field umpire Aleem Dar shook his head.
Replays showed the Kookaburra had made contact with Khawaja’s glove, and the Australian opener gingerly made his way back to the pavilion.
Watching on from the stands, childhood mate David Warner could hardly believe what he had just witnessed.
