Aussies are in command as they finish on 271-2 on the 3rd day against Pakistan, with Smith and Labuschagne on the crease.
Khwaja and Warner’s Colossal Stand
Khwaja and Warner stitched a 156 run stand for the first wicket to continue the run-fest at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Earlier in the day, Pakistani bowlers came to all guns blazing against the openers and left no stones unturned in their bid to get a breakthrough.
Both Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi were steaming in from both the ends producing many false shorts and edges. At gully off Shaheen’s bowling, Khwaja was dropped in the 11th over by Fawad Alam. This drop proved too costly for the hosts as Khwaja scored 97 runs for the Kangaroos.
David Warner was clean bowled at 68 by Sajid Khan in the 41st over when Aussies seemed to be cruising quite comfortably. Soon Khwaja followed his opening partner in the pavilion due to his attempt of playing a needless revere sweep off Nauman Ali’s bowling.
Smith and Marnus Ensure Aussies’ Command
At 203-2, Smith joined Labuschagne in the middle, and the duo batted cautiously to avoid any further damage for Australia on the 3rd day. Marnus brought up his 13th test fifty and remains not out on 69* while Smith is unbeaten on 24* as Australia and Pakistan heads into the 4th day of the first test.
Australia finished on 271-2 in 73 overs as bad lights and rain prevented any further play on the 3rd day of the first test. The Aussies are still trailing by 205 runs, and it will be interesting to see how the duo of Smith and Marnus approach the innings on 4th day.
If you like this, you can also read: India Clinches Victory in the First Test against Sri Lanka