Aus vs Pak, 3rd day of the 2nd test, witnessed the Australian bowlers pouncing on a clueless Pakistani batting line-up.
Pakistan could only muster 148 in their first innings after conceding 556/9 against the Kangaroos.
Even after taking a gigantic lead of 408 runs, Australia did not press the follow-on. Pat Cummins and co. are well aware that it is their chance to tire out the already exhausted Pak fielders much more before the final test of the three-match test series is played.
Aus vs Pak, 3rd-day highlights:
Pat Cummins, the skipper for the Kangaroos, added more to the misery of his counterparts when he scored an unbeaten 34* off 36, including 3 massive sixes to impose a massive first innings total of 556 before the long-awaited declaration.
Pak’s first innings:
Shafique and Imam lacked the persistence displayed in the first test, trailing a gigantic first innings total. An exhausted Shafique was sent back to the pavilion by an excellent display of fielding by the debutant Mitchell Swepson.
Shafique’s wicket opened up the doors for the Kangaroos to pounce on a fatigued batting line-up. Australia kept bowling in the right areas with precise line and length to get quick successive wickets.
Imam-ul-Haq soon followed his opening partner in the dugout, and the batters after him kept following each other into the dressing-room. Only Babar Azam played a substantial knock of 36 before becoming the first victim of the debutant Swepson in test cricket.
Starc picked up three, and Swepson accounted for two while Cummins, Lyon and Green each scalped one wicket to restrict Pakistan at 148 in 53 overs.
Aussies’ second innings begins:
Australia lost David Warner early in the innings as they finished the day on 81-1, leading by 489 runs with Khwaja and Labuschagne on the crease.
Also read: Australia Squashes New Zealand: ICC WCWC 2022