| 0.0 : The wait is over, two teams who are on a mission, one to prove they are still a force to reckon without their two aces, Smith and Warner and other to show the world that they belong amongst the elites in this format. Pakistan and Australia, the two, lock horns here in Dubai for the first of the two-match Test series. Hello and welcome to the coverage. |
| The hosts will be charged up for this series, especially after their shock exit in the Asia Cup. Sarfraz Ahmed will be eager to prove he is a worthy captain. They enter into contest as favorites as they play in familiar conditions. Australia though will not let it easy. Yes, they are a new look side, missing quite a few key players but the ones getting the opportunity will want to prove their mettle. Stay tuned for the all-important Day 1. |
| TOSS - Pakistan have won the toss and they opt to bat first. Quite a few debutants today. One for Pakistan as Bilal Asif will play his first game, whereas three for Australia - Aaron Finch, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne. |
| We are all set for the action to begin. The players make their way out to the middle and are followed by the Pakistan openers, Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. The former will be on strike and he will be facing Mitchell Starc who has the brand new cherry in hand. He has a tendency to pick a wicket in the first over. Can he do so here? He has two slips and a gully in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : M Starc to Imam, Good start from Starc! No warm up deliveries by him. He lands it on a length around off, also gets it to shape away a touch. Imam lunges and defends it. |
| 0.2 : M Starc to Imam, Goes full again but there is only a hint of movement available. Imam confidently strokes it to covers. It was a good shot that, shows that the southpaw is in good touch. |
| 0.3 : M Starc to Imam, Drags his length back this time and hits the deck hard but bowls it down the leg side. Imam tries to flick but misses. |
| 0.4 : M Starc to Imam, Good change in length! A bumper and a good one. Imam does well to evade it. |
| 0.5 : M Starc to Imam, Loses his radar for the second time in the over as he bowls it way outside off. Imam need not play at those, at least not this early in his innings. |
| 0.6 : M Starc to Imam, A good nut to end the first over! A maiden. On a length and around off, Imam gets right behind the line and blocks it out. So no swing visible after the first delivery, quite expected that. |
| Peter Siddle to bowl from the other end. Making a comeback in the team is the veteran, just like the batsman he is bowling to. A slight issue with the sightscreen here and hence the delay. The issue is solved and we are ready yo go. |
| 1.1 : P Siddle to M Hafeez, Almost strikes off his very first delivery! Just like Starc, Siddle too starts with a very good delivery. Length ball around off, it shapes away a touch. Hafeez plays inside the line, the ball takes the inside edge and goes past the leg pole and down to fine leg for a run. Pakistan are away but not in convincing manner. |
| 1.2 : P Siddle to Imam, EDGY FOUR! So all the runs till now for Pakistan are courtesy the edges. Imam gets off the mark with a boundary, it is also the first of the innings. Siddle bowls it fuller around off, it slants away with the angle. Imam tries to drive but gets an outside edge between slip and gully for a boundary. However, had there been a third slip not sure if it would have carried. You need to stand a little more closer than normal here in Dubai as the bounce here is not that much. |
| 1.3 : P Siddle to Imam, Just behind a length around off, Imam lunges and blocks it out. |
| 1.4 : P Siddle to Imam, Goes fuller this time around off, Imam-ul-Haq strokes it to mid off. |
| 1.5 : P Siddle to Imam, A little too wide outside off to make the batsman play. |
| 1.6 : P Siddle to Imam, Good length around off, kept out. 5 from the over but it was a good one from Siddle, hit the right lines and also found the edges but they went for runs. |
| 2.1 : M Starc to Hafeez, First runs off the middle. Does not reach the boundary as the outfield seemed quite slow there. It was full and it comes back in, Hafeez flicks it through mid-wicket and runs three. |
| 2.2 : M Starc to Imam, On the shorter side down the leg side, Imam tries to flick it fine but misses. |
| 2.3 : M Starc to Imam, Full on off, the southpaw times it to mid off. |
| 2.4 : M Starc to Imam, Back of a length around off, coming back in. Imam chops it to the second slip fielder. |
| 2.5 : M Starc to Imam, OHHHH! Good pace there by Starc. It was bowled at around, 144 kph. It was banged in on a length around off, it comes back in. Imam tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 2.6 : M Starc to Imam, Fullish again on off, Imam times it to mid on. The southpaw has played the full deliveries well till now. It is the shorter ones which have caused him problems. |
| 3.1 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Another length ball outside off, it has been left alone. |
| 3.2 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Angles this into the pads, Hafeez works it to mid-wicket. |
| 3.3 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Good delivery and good carry on this one! Siddle bowls it in the 5th stump channel. Hafeez lets it be and Paine collects it at a good height. |
| 3.4 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Slightly shorter in length on off, Hafeez punches it to covers. |
| 3.5 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Another one a little too wide to make the batsman play. Siddle needs to bowl it a little closer to the off pole. |
| 3.6 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Better! This was on the off pole, Hafeez blocks it out. |
| 4.1 : M Starc to Imam, Strays on the pads, Imam flicks it towards fine leg and takes one. |
| 4.2 : M Starc to Hafeez, On a length around off, angling away from the batter. Hafeez leaves it alone. |
| 4.3 : M Starc to Hafeez, NO BALL but a beauty! Starc oversteps there, maybe in search of some extra pace. He lands it around off and then gets it to slant away. Hafeez has to play at it but is beaten by the away angle and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. |
| M Starc to Hafeez, BEATEN! A nothing shot there by Hafeez. Starc bowls it full and around off, not very full though, it was just behind a driving length. Hafeez goes at it away from his body, luckily for him he gets beaten. |
| 4.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, FOUR! Top shot! This was slightly fuller than the last delivery and hence, Hafeez got it right off the middle. He lunges and strokes it through extra cover for a boundary. His first. |
| 4.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, FOUR LEG BYES! The bumper on middle, it was not that short, Hafeez tries to duck under it. It hits his helmet and crosses the fine leg fence. |
| 4.6 : M Starc to M Hafeez, EDGED BUT JUST SHORT! Lovely way to end the over by Starc. Around off and on a length, angling away again. Hafeez plays inside the line, the ball takes the outside edge and lands just short of the second slip fielder. It was a genuine edge but due to the slow nature of the wicket the ball did not carry, very tough to position yourself here in the slip cordon, difficult to understand where to stand. |
| 5.1 : P Siddle to Imam, Back of a length around off, Imam stands tall and keeps it out. |
| 5.2 : P Siddle to Imam, Fuller on off, stroked to mid off. |
| 5.3 : P Siddle to Imam, The batsman gets up on his toes to play that one. |
| 5.4 : P Siddle to Imam, FOUR! CRACKED! Full and wide outside off, it is asking to be hit. Imam does exactly that as he crashes it through the cover-point region and the ball races away. |
| 5.5 : P Siddle to Imam, Fullish on off, Imam strokes it back towards the bowler who makes a half-stop. |
| 5.6 : P Siddle to Imam, Length ball to end, it is kept out. So no swing on offer, not a lot of bounce. The wicket looks an absolute belter after the first six. |
| 6.1 : M Starc to Hafeez, Good length around off, Hafeez leaves it. |
| 6.2 : Starc to Hafeez, Well bowled! Tries the yorker which he bowls so well. It comes out well but Hafeez just at the end jams it out towards square leg. |
| 6.3 : M Starc to Hafeez, Bowls the sucker ball, full and wide outside off, wanting Hafeez to go for a loose shot. The batter resists and lets it be. |
| 6.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, Another ball full and wide outside off, enticing the batsman to go for. Hafeez shows good patience and points his bat skywards. |
| 6.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, FOUR! Poor ball and put away! Short and wide outside off, Hafeez pounces on the width offered and cuts it through point for a boundary. Good batting here, he is ensuring he puts away the bad balls, not many served by Starc though. |
| 6.6 : M Starc to Hafeez, A little too wide outside off, left alone. Starc needs to bowl it a touch closer, like he did in his last over. This over was a touch wayward. |
| 7.1 : P Siddle to Imam, Lands it on a length around off, kept out. |
| 7.2 : P Siddle to Imam, Just ahead of a length around off, it is driven towards mid on. |
| Nathan Lyon is seen warming up. With not a lot of assistance off the deck for the pacers, we may see the offie in action soon. |
| 7.3 : P Siddle to Imam, A good bouncer on middle, Imam ducks out of it. |
| 7.4 : P Siddle to Imam, Works it towards square leg with the angle for a run. |
| 7.5 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Goes wide of the crease and bowls it around off, Hafeez keeps it out. |
| 7.6 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Attacks the off pole again, Hafeez gets right behind the line and blocks it out. |
| So as expected, Nathan Lyon is into the attack. Early change by Australia, it will be interesting to see if he gets some turn. |
| 8.1 : N Lyon to Imam, DROPPED! Technically a drop! A very tough chance that. It is bowled on the pads, Imam flicks it towards the leg side. It is uppish and the ball hits the fielder at short leg who fails to react in time. Those just have to stick in your hands or between the legs or somewhere. |
| 8.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Floats it up on middle, Imam lunges and blocks it out. It was uppish again. |
| 8.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Aerial for a while again! Get in a silly point as well? Lyon bowls a loopy ball on middle, Imam defends it with hard hands. |
| 8.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 8.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Better by the southpaw! Plays this with soft hands and defends it onto the ground. |
| 8.6 : N Lyon to Imam, Another floated ball on middle, Imam blocks it out. So a maiden to begin with for Lyon, however, no turn on offer for him. Maybe because the ball is quite new. |
| 9.1 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Fullish on middle, it is driven to mid on. |
| 9.2 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Fuller in length again on middle, MH times it to mid on. |
| 9.3 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Around off, Hafeez easily defends it out. |
| 9.4 : P Siddle to Hafeez, A loopy bouncer this time, Hafeez comfortably ducks under it. |
| 9.5 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Another length ball around off, the batsman defends it. |
| 9.6 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Again on off, Hafeez is solid in defense. So back-to-back maidens for Australia. |
| 10.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Flighted ball on middle, Imam defends it out. |
| 10.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Stump-to-stump line again, Imam blocks it out. |
| 10.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Floats it up on middle, kept out. |
| 10.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Gives it air this time on middle, Imam is solid in defense. |
| 10.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Brilliant by Lyon, all the 5 balls he has bowled has been in the same region. Imam can do nothing but keep it out. |
| 10.6 : N Lyon to Imam, A dot to end! So back-to-back maidens for Lyon and three in a row for Australia. Imam uses his feet but yorks himself. He jams it out to mid off. |
| 11.1 : P Siddle to M Hafeez, Fullish on middle, Hafeez strokes it to mid on. |
| 11.2 : P Siddle to Hafeez, On a length and around off, kept out. |
| 11.3 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Goes full again on middle, Hafeez wrists it to mid on. |
| 11.4 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Runs, after 24 balls for Pakistan. It is on the pads, Hafeez works it around the corner and collects a brace. |
| 11.5 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Another single as Hafeez once again flicks it in the same region as the last ball. |
| 11.6 : P Siddle to Imam, Bowls from around the wicket to the left-hander and spears it very full. Imam drives it towards short covers who deflects it to mid off. |
| 12.1 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Floats it up on off, Hafeez keeps it out. |
| 12.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Flighted ball on off, Hafeez eases it to mid off. |
| 12.3 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Flatter and quicker on off, it comes back in. Hafeez keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 12.4 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Another flatter delivery and Hafeez once again keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 12.5 : N Lyon to Hafeez, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 12.6 : N Lyon to M Hafeez, Fires it on off, Hafeez goes back and guides it to point. So another over in which Lyon has not conceded a run. 3-3-0-0 is how his figures read. |
| Spin from both ends now. It was just a matter of time. Nothing whatsoever in this pitch at the moment. Let's see how Jon Holland bowls. He has a slip in place. |
| 13.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, Loopy ball outside off, it is a little too full. Imam times it through covers for a run. |
| 13.2 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Gives it air around leg stump, Hafeez works it to mid-wicket. |
| 13.3 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Very full on the pads, Hafeez tucks it around the corner for a brace. |
| 13.4 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, FOUR! Hafeez loves using his feet to the spinners and does it really well here. Dances down the track, makes it into a full toss and whacks it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 13.5 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, First good delivery by Holland! He tosses it up on off, Hafeez lunges and keeps it out. |
| 13.6 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Slightly shorter this time on middle, MH flicks it through square leg for a run. An expensive start by Holland. Not a lot of assistance for him as well in his first. |
| 14.1 : N Lyon to Hafeez, FOUR! First runs off Lyon and it is a beautiful boundary! Pays the price of bowling it too full. Hafeez plants his front foot across and strokes it through covers. |
| 14.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Flatter and on off, kept out. |
| 14.3 : N Lyon to Hafeez, A little turn from outside off, Hafeez waits for the ball to do its bit and then tucks it through square leg for a run. |
| 14.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Floats it around off, Imam prods forward and defends it. |
| 14.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Flatter and shorter in length outside off, Imam cuts it through cover-point and takes a run. |
| 14.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, From around the wicket, Lyon fires it on off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| Drinks! So a good hour of play for Pakistan! They have seen out the new ball and now both the openers look set. They would want to cash in on the start they have got. Also the wicket looks very true with the ball coming onto the bat nicely. Australia on the other hand, need a breakthrough, they have spinners on from both the ends at the moment and Paine will hope the spin-twins can do the job for them. |
| 15.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, Holland continues after the break and bowls a loopy full pitched delivery outside off, spins and turns into Imam who defends off the front foot. |
| 15.2 : Jon Holland to Imam, Much fuller on off, Imam uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball and drives to mid off. |
| 15.3 : Jon Holland to Imam, Full on of, stroked to mid on. |
| 15.4 : Jon Holland to Imam, A bit short this and it gives Imam times to tap it into the point region and change strike. |
| 15.5 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Hafeez gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 15.6 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 16.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Lyon tosses it up on middle. Imam skips down the track and drives it to mid on. Looking to be aggressive and put pressure on the spinner here Imam. |
| 16.2 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 16.3 : N Lyon to Imam, A bit flatter and quicker from Lyon , Imam goes back and defends. |
| 16.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Tossed up on off, Imam prods forward to defend, the ball lands and goes with the arm, Hafeez playing for some spin gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 16.5 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. Good over by Lyon this, asking the questions to the batsmen. |
| 16.6 : N Lyon to Imam, Tossed up on off, driven through mid-off by the batsman. |
| 17.1 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Flighted and full on off, driven to mid on. |
| 17.2 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Comes down the track again, does not get to the pitch and ends up blocking it. |
| 17.3 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Fuller again and strokes to mid off. |
| 17.4 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Dances down the track and this time Hafeez goes through with the shot, he ends with drags it a bit uppish to the right of mid on, the fielder there makes a good stop with a dive. They take a run. |
| 17.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, Slower and full on off, stroked to mid on. |
| 17.6 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 18.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Keeps it tight again, Imam shows good patience as he blocks it off the front foot. |
| 18.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Tossed up on off, batsman prods forward and keeps it out. |
| 18.3 : N Lyon to Imam, A bit shorter in length and Imam goes for the cut but cannot find good connection and the gap. |
| 18.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 18.5 : N Lyon to Imam, The southpaw gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it into the gap in mid-wicket to get a single. |
| 18.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Defended off the back foot by Hafeez. |
| 19.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, Full on off, Imam keeps it out with a straight bat. |
| 19.2 : Jon Holland to Imam, SIX! BOOM! 50 up for Pakistan, exactly the start they would have wanted after electing to bat. Holland tosses this up again, Imam skips down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and whacks it over wide long on for the first biggie of the match. Nice batting this by the two openers. |
| 19.3 : Jon Holland to Imam, Dances down the track, drives it to mid on for a quick single. A single after a maximum, clever stuff from Imam. |
| 19.4 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Tossed up on middle and off, Hafeez flicks it into the square leg region to pick up a single. |
| 19.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 19.6 : Jon Holland to Imam, Flighted on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 20.1 : N Lyon to M Hafeez, FOUR! CRACKED! That will please Mohammad Hafeez. Lyon drags his length a bit and bowls it a bit wide of off, Hafeez immediately rocks back seeing the scoring opportunity and cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 20.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 20.3 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 20.4 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Tossed up again in line of the stumps, Hafeez blocks it out. |
| 20.5 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Shorter in length again is the offie, Hafeez goes back and punches it through covers to pick up a brace. |
| 20.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 21.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, Holland starts with a quicker one on Imam's pads, the southpaw flicks it to deep backward square leg to get off strike. |
| 21.2 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Tossed up on middle and leg, Hafeez waits back and keeps it out with a straight bat. |
| 21.3 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, The pair is not letting any loose ball go by, their intent is commendable. Holland again keeps it a bit short outside off, Imam punches it into cover-point to pick up a run. Rotating the strike along with hitting boundaries once in a while, this pair. |
| 21.4 : Jon Holland to Imam, The pair is not letting any loose ball go by, their intent is commendable. Holland again keeps it a bit short outside off, Imam |
| 21.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, A bit quicker and just outside off, seeing this Imam opens the bat face at the last moment and runs it down to the third man region to get a brace. |
| 21.6 : Jon Holland to Imam, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 22.1 : N Lyon to Hafeez, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 22.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Hafeef lunges forward and keeps this full ball out. |
| 22.3 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Tossed up on off again, Hafeez comes forward with a big stride and defends it comfortably. |
| 22.4 : N Lyon to Hafeez, His patience gives up as he kneels and sweeps this fuller delivery on middle to the backward square leg region to get a single. |
| 22.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Goes for the sweep again but mistimes it, no run. |
| 22.6 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 23.1 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Flighted and a bit shorter than full, Hafeez blocks it from within his crease. |
| 23.2 : Jon Holland to Imam, FOUR! Beautiful! Just so pleasing to the eyes this. Holland gives it a bit more air, Imam seeing this dances down the track and strokes it past the right of mid off for a superb boundary. |
| 23.3 : Jon Holland to Imam, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 23.4 : Jon Holland to Imam, Tossed up on off, driven to mid on. |
| 23.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 23.6 : Jon Holland to Imam, FOUR! SHOT! Marginally shorter in length but Imam has got his eye in well. He won't let such balls go. Imam rocks back and cuts it fiercely thorugh point for a cracking boundary. 9 from this one. |
| 24.1 : N Lyon to Hafeez, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 24.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Hafeez rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball into covers to change strike. |
| 24.3 : N Lyon to Imam, The southpaw dances down the track but decides to defend it. Intent on show here. Really nice this from the Asian team. |
| 24.4 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 24.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Imam has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 24.6 : N Lyon to Imam, Tossed up again on middle and off, defended off the front foot. |
| Mitchell Starc is back on. |
| 25.1 : M Starc to Hafeez, Australia will hope for Starc to make a mark and get a breakthrough. Starts with a length ball on middle and off, Hafeez defends from the crease. |
| 25.2 : M Starc to Hafeez, Similar delivery, defended off the back foot by the comeback man. |
| 25.3 : M Starc to Hafeez, Fires this outside off after bowling two on the stumps, wanted Hafeez to go after it but the right-hander shoulders arms. |
| 25.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, Very full and fast on off, Hafeez drives this crisply but straight to mid off. |
| 25.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, Similar length but a bit wide of off, Hafeez leans across and drives into the cover-point region but cannot find the gap. |
| 25.6 : M Starc to Hafeez, Bumper! Starc bounces this one to surprise the batter, but Hafeez ducks under it comfortably. |
| 26.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Tossed up on off, Imam gets forward and keeps it out. |
| 26.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Flighted and full on middle and off, Imam lunges forward looking to block but gets an inside edge to backward square leg to get off strike. |
| 26.3 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 26.4 : N Lyon to Hafeez, A bit slower and straighter this one, Hafeez nicely waits for it to arrive and closes his bat face to tuck it towards square leg to get a run. |
| 26.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Defended off the front foot by Imam presenting the full face of the bat. Not taking any undue risk. |
| 26.6 : N Lyon to Imam, Tossed up on middle, Imam looks to turn it into the off side but gets a leading edge towards covers. Nice testing over by the offie. |
| 27.1 : M Starc to Hafeez, Whipped! Starc tries the toe-crusher but dishes in a half volley on Hafeez's pads, the opener flicks it nonchalantly through mid-wicket to get a brace. |
| 27.2 : M Starc to Hafeez, A bit shorter on good length on off, Hafeez punches it to covers. |
| 27.3 : M Starc to Hafeez, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 27.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, Using his height and speed here is the left-arm pacer. He bangs this a bit shorter and gets it to rise on Hafeez who does well to get on his toes and keep it out. |
| 27.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, Fuller and just outside off, Hafeez strokes this to mid off. Looking really good these two. |
| 27.6 : M Starc to Hafeez, FOUR! Unlucky Australia! They will definitely want some luck to go their way on this flat pitch. Starc dishes out yet another full pitch ball outside off, Hafeez goes after it and gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies through the vacant gully region and into the third man fence. |
| 28.1 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 28.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Strays down the leg side here Lyon, Imam tries to flick but misses. |
| 28.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Similar delivery but this time the southpaw taps it into the square leg region to get a single. |
| 28.4 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Tossed up fuller on off, Hafeez drives it politely to covers |
| 28.5 : N Lyon to M Hafeez, Similar ball and similarly stroked to covers by Hafeez. |
| 28.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. Lyon has already completed 11 overs in the first session itself. Australia is depending a lot on him here. |
| 29.1 : M Starc to Imam, TOE CRUSHER! Starc from over the wicket fires in a pinch perfect yorker with some late dip in, Imam does really well to dig it out. Shows how settled are the batsmen there. |
| 29.2 : M Starc to Imam, Good length ball angling onto his pads, The southpaw flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 29.3 : M Starc to Imam, Similar delivery, this time Imam looks to push this one straight but the angle into him results in an inside edge for the ball to roll towards square leg. |
| 29.4 : M Starc to Imam, Nice bowling by Starc! He is attacking the stumps, any error by the batsman and he will be in the game. Length ball on the stumps , kept out from the crease. |
| 29.5 : M Starc to Imam, Imam picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper. |
| 29.6 : M Starc to Imam, Fuller, quicker and straighter from the left-arm quick, Imam blocks it out off the back foot. Starc trying his best in this heat to get a breakthrough. |
| 30.1 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Tossed up on off, Hafeez lunges forward to defend it. |
| 30.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Gets down on his knee and sweeps it to deep square leg for a single. A risky shot this for just a run. |
| 30.3 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 30.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Unfazed by the situation is the southpaw, comes down the track and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 30.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Skips down again and drives to the right of mid off to get off strike. |
| 30.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Tossed up and on off, Hafeez gets his weight on his front foot and eases it to long on for an easy single to end a wonderful session for Pakistan. THAT'S LUNCH. |
| So, a wicket-less session means Pakistan will be the happier side heading into the break. It has all gone right for them right from the toss. They elected to bat in batting friendly conditions and their openers have made full use of it. They have looked solid till now with Hafeez just two short of his half ton on return. Pakistan would hope for the duo to continue and lay the foundation for a big first innings score. |
| Australia on the other hand, have bowled tightly but without any success. Lyon impressed the most and he will probably be the bowler who might bowl the most amount of overs for them. However, one good thing is Starc has found a little, just a little amount of reverse swing which they hope will work in their favor. The Aussies will want a couple of quick wickets after the break. Join us in a bit to find out what is in store after Lunch. |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| We are all set to get the post Lunch session underway. The umpires followed by the Aussies make their way to the middle. The Pakistan openers, Mohammad Hafeez and Imam-ul-Haq, stride out to the center with the right-hander on strike. Mitchell Starc to get the procedings off the mark, post Lunch. |
| 31.1 : M Starc to Hafeez, Starts off with a back of a length delivery around off, Hafeez guides it to point. |
| 31.2 : M Starc to Hafeez, Very full and wide outside off, Hafeez makes a leave. |
| 31.3 : M Starc to Hafeez, Comes around the wicket now, he angles it into the batter, hoping for the ball to pitch and go away. It does not though as it keeps coming in with the angle. Hafeez defends it. |
| 31.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, Fifty for Hafeez on return into the team, his 13th in this format. He gets there with a beautifully timed stroke through covers for a brace. He also wanted a third but was rightly sent back by his partner. He then raises the bat towards the dressing room and soaks in the applause. He has looked very fluent throughout and is all set to make it big now. |
| 31.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 31.6 : M Starc to Hafeez, On a length around off, MH keeps it out. |
| Nathan Lyon to bowl from the other end. A slip, short leg and a silly point in place. |
| 32.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Loopy ball on off, Imam defends it onto the ground. |
| 32.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of the delivery. He pushes it towards mid off for a quick run. |
| 32.3 : N Lyon to Hafeez, FOUR! In the gap! Lovely sweep shot. He hits it right in the gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 32.4 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Flighted ball on off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 32.5 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Another loopy ball on off, MH strokes it to mid off. |
| 32.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Hafeez with the turn works it towards mid-wicket for a run. So similar story after the break for Lyon, no purchase off the surface. |
| 33.1 : M Starc to Hafeez, Good length around off, Hafeez blocks it out. |
| 33.2 : M Starc to Hafeez, Angles this into the pads, Hafeez nudges it towards mid-wicket. |
| 33.3 : M Starc to Hafeez, A poor ball and a poor shot to follow! Short and wide, width on offer outside off. Hafeez feels there is a boundary in the offering. He goes for a cut shot but loosely and gets beaten. |
| 33.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, Fuller in length on off, the batsman strokes it to mid off. |
| 33.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, Another bouncer but this just does not bounce. It is down the leg side and over Hafeez as he ducks under it. |
| 33.6 : M Starc to Hafeez, Crisply driven! On the up and through covers for a brace. There are two short covers but Hafeez is finding the gap with ease. |
| 34.1 : N Lyon to Imam, FOUR! Up and over! Excellent use of the feet. This time he gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it over mid on for a boundary. Moves into the 40s now. |
| 34.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Uses his feet again but Lyon spots it. He shortens the length and Imam adjusts and guides it to point. Well bowled and well played in the end. |
| 34.3 : N Lyon to Imam, On the stumps, Imam keeps it out. |
| 34.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Slightly shorter in length, Imam goes back and punches it to covers. |
| 34.5 : N Lyon to Imam, The straighter one on off, Imam once again off the back foot pushes it to covers. |
| 34.6 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Just a short burst for Mitchell Starc as Peter Siddle is into the attack. |
| 35.1 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Starts off with a shorter delivery outside off, Hafeez guides it through point and gets to the other end. |
| 35.2 : P Siddle to Imam, Fuller in length on middle, Imam strokes it to mid on. |
| 35.3 : P Siddle to Imam, Bowls it fuller once again on the pads, Imam flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 35.4 : P Siddle to Imam, Hits the length around middle, the batsman blocks it. No signs of any movement for Siddle and at his pace and on a slow wicket, it gets too easy for a batter. |
| 35.5 : P Siddle to Imam, Fullish on off, Imam times it towards the man at covers. Is unable to find the gap. |
| 35.6 : P Siddle to Imam, FOUR LEG BYES! Sloppy from Paine! He should have stopped that. On the pads, Imam tries to flick but misses, the ball brushes the pads and goes underneath the glove of the diving Paine and into the fine leg fence. |
| 36.1 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Flatter on off, Hafeez defends it off the back foot. |
| 36.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, FOUR! DEFT! Lyon once again bowls it quicker but there is width on offer. Hafeez waits for it and then guides it very late through backward point for a boundary. |
| 36.3 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Tosses it up on off, Hafeez lunges and keeps it out. |
| 36.4 : N Lyon to Hafeez, He has slowed it up since that boundary and is also tossing it up on off. Hafeez keeps it out. |
| 36.5 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Hafeez with the turn works it to mid-wicket. |
| 36.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, FOUR! Seeing the ball like a football out there is Hafeez. It is short and asking to be hit. Hafeez says thank you so much and he pulls it over mid-wicket for another boundary. Second in the over. |
| 37.1 : P Siddle to Imam, Back of a length on off, the batsman keeps it out, |
| 37.2 : P Siddle to Imam, Fuller again on off, Imam strokes it to mid off. |
| 37.3 : P Siddle to Imam, Finds the man at square leg with the flick shot. |
| 37.4 : P Siddle to Imam, Fullish and it tails back in a touch. The southpaw hits it to mid on. |
| 37.5 : P Siddle to Imam, On the fuller side outside off, Imam drives it square on the off side for a run. There is a man in the deep which means Paine now is looking to save some runs also, which he has to. |
| 37.6 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Around off, kept out with the utmost ease. |
| 38.1 : N Lyon to Imam, BEAUTY! First real sign of the ball doing something for the offie. He tosses it up around off, it pitches and then turns away sharply. Imam goes back and tries to defend but is beaten by the away turn. |
| 38.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Tries to bowl a similar ball but gets no turn on this one. Imam pushes it to covers. |
| 38.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Slows it up on off, Imam defends it off the front foot. |
| 38.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Darts it on middle, Imam with the angle works it towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 38.5 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Fires it on off, no turn against the right-hander. Hafeez blocks it out. |
| 38.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 39.1 : P Siddle to Imam, On a length around off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 39.2 : P Siddle to Imam, Good length outside off, the batsman guides it towards gully who makes a good stop. |
| 39.3 : P Siddle to Imam, Attacks the off stump again, Imam keeps it out. So, good bowling this by Siddle, he is keeping it very tight. |
| 39.4 : P Siddle to Imam, In the 5th stump channel, Imam plays it with an angled bat towards gully. |
| 39.5 : P Siddle to Imam, Goes fuller again, Imam with the angle strokes it to mid on. |
| 39.6 : P Siddle to Imam, Around off, kept out. A maiden by Siddle. |
| 40.1 : N Lyon to M Hafeez, Loopy ball on middle, Hafeez works it towards mid-wicket. |
| 40.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Tosses it up again on off, Hafeez is solid in defense. |
| 40.3 : N Lyon to Hafeez, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 40.4 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Flighted delivery on off, Hafeez blocks it out. |
| 40.5 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Gives it air this time but it is a touch short. Hafeez flicks it towards Shaun Marsh at mid-wicket. He dives to his right and saves a single. |
| 40.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Clips it through mid-wicket, finds the gap this time and takes a run. |
| 41.1 : P Siddle to Hafeez, On a length around off, Hafeez opens the face of the bat and guides it through point for a run. |
| 41.2 : P Siddle to Imam, On the pads, Imam tries to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls down to fine leg and the batsmen take a leg bye. |
| 41.3 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Late movement but the ball it is from middle, Hafeez tries to flick but the ball misses the bat, hits the pads and goes towards square leg. There is a muted appeal from the players as the batsmen cross over. The umpire shakes his head and does not signal a leg bye. So, there might be an inside edge. |
| 41.4 : P Siddle to Imam, Back of a length around off, Imam guides it to point. |
| 41.5 : P Siddle to Imam, Shortish on off, Imam punches it to covers for a run. |
| 41.6 : P Siddle to Hafeez, This is too easy for the batters. Hafeez guides it through point and gets to the other end. |
| 42.1 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Tossed up ball around off, Hafeef comes forward and defends |
| 42.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, A bit shorter this one, allows Hafeez to go back, open the bat face and guide it to the third man region to pick up a single. |
| 42.3 : N Lyon to Imam, FOUR! Classic! That's confidence personified. Lyon gives this one air, Haq comes down the track and drives superbly through covers for an excellent boundary. |
| 42.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Fires this down the leg side and Imam helps it toward fine leg to get a brace. |
| 42.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 42.6 : N Lyon to Imam, Slower and a bit shorter of full length on off. Haq, stuck in his crease, defends. |
| Marnus Labuschagne, the debutant, is into the attack. He is a part time leg spinner, trying everything here is Tim Paine. |
| 43.1 : M Labuschagne to Hafeez, Flatter and around off, Hafeez guides it through point for a run. Not a bad delivery to start with. |
| 43.2 : M Labuschagne to Imam, A little bit of turn there! He pitches it around off, it comes back in. Imam pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 43.3 : M Labuschagne to Imam, Gives it air but ends up bowling it too full outside off, Imam strokes it through covers for a run. |
| 43.4 : M Labuschagne to Hafeez, Short and outside off, it sits up to be hit. Hafeez does not take full toll of it as he hits it towards sweeper cover for a run. |
| 43.5 : M Labuschagne to Imam, Lands it around the leg pole, it pitches and then turns back into the southpaw. He tries to flick but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes down to fine leg and the batsmen take a leg bye. |
| 43.6 : M Labuschagne to Hafeez, Full, very full on middle, Hafeez jams it out to long on for a run. So not a bad first over by the debutant. He has probably got the most out of the wicket in the one over he has bowled. |
| Holland is brought back on. Double change by Australia. |
| 44.1 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Slower through the air on off, kept out. |
| 44.2 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Tosses it up above the eye line around off, Hafeez drives it back to the bowler. |
| 44.3 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Loopy delivery again but it is a touch too full, the spin is out of contention and Hafeez strokes it back to the bowler. |
| 44.4 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 44.5 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, DROPPED AND FOUR! A tough chance but Australia need these to be taken. Especially now. A false stroke was drawn and it almost got them the breakthrough. Hafeez tries to take on the left-arm spinner as he uses his feet. Does not get to the pitch of the ball but still goes ahead with the shot. The ball turns away and hence does not come right off the middle. It goes uppishly towards long off. Mitchell Marsh there runs to his right, leaps, gets a hand to it but can't ha |
| 44.6 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, On the stumps, kept out. |
| 45.1 : M Labuschagne to Imam, Works it with the turn through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 45.2 : M Labuschagne to M Hafeez, Very full on off, it is stroked to mid off. |
| 45.3 : M Labuschagne to Hafeez, Flatter and on off, Hafeez punches it through covers for a run. |
| 45.4 : M Labuschagne to Imam, Fires it very full outside off, Imam hits it square on the off side for a run. |
| 45.5 : M Labuschagne to Hafeez, In the air... but safe! Hafeez is somehow trying to get out here. Two poor shots in two overs. The last one was spilled and this one fortunately for him, falls in no man's land. It is the leg spinner from Labuschagne around off, Hafeez again dances down the track and tries to go over mid on. The ball however turns away, takes the leading edge and lands in the extra cover region for a brace. Imam needs to go upto his senior partner and have a chat and ask him to cal |
| 45.6 : M Labuschagne to Hafeez, This time he nicely pushes the ball towards cover. |
| Drinks. Pakistan still going strong with runs coming at a decent pace. The Aussies might consider themselves a bit unlucky but their bowlers are toiling hard in the heat to get a breakthrough they desperately need. |
| 46.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, Holland after the break starts off with a quicker one on Imam's pads, turning in. The southpaw just tickles it very fine on the leg side. The fielder does well to chase and saves a single for his team. |
| 46.2 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 46.3 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, A bit shorter in length, Hafeez rocks back and cuts it to deep point for a single. |
| 46.4 : Jon Holland to Imam, Flighted and fuller, Imam drives this to mid on. |
| 46.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 46.6 : Jon Holland to Imam, Rocks back and cuts it uppishly through point for a single to end the over. The southpaw will retain strike. |
| Nathan Lyon to roll his arm over. Change of ends for Lyon. |
| 47.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Tossed up on middle, Imam from within the crease keeps it out. |
| 47.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Slower and a bit shorter than full, Imam goes back and punches this to point. |
| 47.3 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 47.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 47.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Imam charges down the track to get Lyon off his length but defends in the end. |
| 47.6 : N Lyon to Imam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 48.1 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Jon looking to tease Hafeez gives this one a bit more air and keeps it full, the right-hander drives it to mid off. |
| 48.2 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 48.3 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, A bit flatter and fuller in length, flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 48.4 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Hafeez taps this slower ball on off towards point. |
| 48.5 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Full again on line with the stumps, Hafeez drives it back to the bowler. |
| 48.6 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Tossed up on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 49.1 : N Lyon to Imam, FOUR! Excellent use of the feet. Sees the flight on this on, its in line with the leg stump, so he had to make some room while dancing down the track. He does so perfectly and gets under the ball to loft the drive over covers for a beautiful boundary. |
| 49.2 : N Lyon to Imam, A bit shorter in length, cut straight to point. |
| 49.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 49.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Slower and fuller in length, Imam comes forward and keeps it out. |
| 49.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 49.6 : N Lyon to Imam, Sees the opportunity to score some runs and cuts it towards point where Michell March dives and stops it. The batsmen have taken a single. |
| 50.1 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 50.2 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Strays down the leg, Hafeez tries to nudge it into the leg side but ends up playing it to the fielder there. |
| 50.3 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Jon trying to tease Hafeez, but the right-hander has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 50.4 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 50.5 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, A bit slower and fuller, Hafeez pushes this into covers and gets off strike. |
| 50.6 : Jon Holland to Imam, Imam rocks back to this marginally shorter than full ball on off, cuts it towards point to get a run and retain strike. |
| 51.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Tossed up around off from around the wicket, kept out off the front foot. |
| 51.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Is he Fine? Imam skips down the track, reaches well to the pitch of the ball and cracks an uppish cover drive. But unfortunately it hits Labuchagne. He seems to be fine. |
| 51.3 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 51.4 : N Lyon to Imam, A bit fuller around off, Imam lunges ahead and pushes it into covers to get a single. |
| 51.5 : N Lyon to M Hafeez, Slower and full length ball on off is stroked to mid on. |
| 51.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 52.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, Keeps it a bit shorter in length spinning into Imam, the southpaw whips it to square leg. |
| 52.2 : Jon Holland to Imam, Tossed up around off, Haq drives it back to the bowler. |
| 52.3 : Jon Holland to Imam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 52.4 : Jon Holland to Imam, Slower and fractionally shorter on off, Imam goes back and flicks it into the leg side. |
| 52.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, Charges down the track, does not reach to the pitch of the ball and does well to defend it in the end. |
| 52.6 : Jon Holland to Imam, This time he goes back to the slower and shorter delivery and punches it to long on to retain strike in the next over. |
| 53.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Tossed up around off, Imam pushes this towards covers to exchange strike. |
| 53.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Slower and shorter than full length again, Hafeez goes back and punches this into the point region to collect a run. |
| 53.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 53.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Drags his length short, Imam goes back and cuts but straight to the man at backward third man. |
| 53.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Short again around off, The southpaw this time makes some room and punches it into covers but still can't find the gap. |
| 53.6 : N Lyon to Imam, Tossed up around off, pushed to covers to end the Lyon over. |
| 54.1 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 54.2 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Slower and fullish in length outside off, Hafeez waits and waits and at the last moment cuts it through third man to get a brace. |
| 54.3 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Fuller in length around off, gives Hafeez the chance to drive through covers for another brace. |
| 54.4 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 54.5 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Full on off, Hafeez, softly turns it into the mid-wicket region. |
| 54.6 : Jon Holland to M Hafeez, Drives this full length ball through mid off and gets a run. |
| Mitchell Starc is back into the attack. |
| 55.1 : M Starc to Hafeez, Good length ball on off. Hafeez has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 55.2 : M Starc to Hafeez, FOUR! Very full ball just outside off enticing the right-hander to go for the booming drive, gets a thick edge on it and flies past the left of the diving fielder at gully to cross the boundary at third man. |
| 55.3 : M Starc to Hafeez, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 55.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, This around the wicket line line seems to be troubling the batsman. He fires this one on a good length shaping into around off. Hafeez looks to play at it tentatively. The ball pitches and straightens a bit to beat the outside edge. Some encouragement for the pacer here. |
| 55.5 : M Starc to M Hafeez, FOUR! Fuller in length again around off, Hafeez half purposefully guides it fine through the slip cordon for a boundary. Streaky boundary for the right-hander. |
| 55.6 : Starc to Hafeez, The batsman has done well to keep that yorker at bay and the ball rolls towards mid-wicket and they get a run. |
| 56.1 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 56.2 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Watta comeback! Starc fires this full length ball into Hafeez, the opener flicks this one nicely through mid-wicket to get a brace and reach his 10th century. Really good batting this from the experienced campaigner. He soaks in all the applause with a relief on his face. Well played. |
| 56.3 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Fuller on off, driven to mid off for a single. |
| 56.4 : Jon Holland to Imam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 56.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, A bit shorter in length spinning into Imam, the southpaw pulls it through square leg and jogs across for a single and retain strike. |
| 56.6 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Slower and full on off, blocked out off the front foot. |
| 57.1 : M Starc to Imam, Starc this time from over the wicket to the southpaw, keeps it very full around off shaping into Imam, the left-hander keeps it out safely. |
| 57.2 : M Starc to Imam, Full and fast on off, keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 57.3 : M Starc to Imam, This ball is down the leg side but the southpaw still tries to flick it but misses. |
| 57.4 : M Starc to Imam, On a good length and wide of off, Imam drives on the up and finds the gap in the cover region, gets a run for it. Nice shot for just a single. |
| 57.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, How unlucky is Australia? Hafeez tentatively drives this full ball on off a bit uppishly, but guess what? The ball has found the gap perfectly between the two short covers. |
| 57.6 : M Starc to Hafeez, FOUR! Hard Luck personified. Just not Australia's day it seems. Again a good length ball on off, lands and straighten. Hafeez plays the initial line and gets a outside edge which flies tantalizingly close to the right of the diving keeper for a boundary. Paine had no chance to grab that. Well bowled Starc. |
| 58.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, Full on off, driven to mid on to get a single. |
| 58.2 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 58.3 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Slower and on middle, turned it towards mid-wicket but no run on offer. |
| 58.4 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 58.5 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Hafeez flicks this full pitch ball on his pads to square leg with a wristy shot. |
| 58.6 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, The comeback man leans forward and drives this fuller ball on middle and off to mid on. |
| 59.1 : M Starc to Imam, A yorker on off, the batsman jams it out. |
| 59.2 : M Starc to Hafeez, Good ball! Angles it into the batsman from around the wicket. Hafeez defends it onto the ground. |
| 59.3 : M Starc to Hafeez, Goes very full outside off, Hafeez guides it square on the off side through point for a couple. |
| 59.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, FOUR! Class, just class from Hafeez there. How elegant was that? Full and around off, Hafeez with that lazy approach of his, strokes it through covers, he literally just put bat to ball, it hits the middle and then races through wide mid off for a boundary. |
| 59.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, Shortens his length around off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 59.6 : M Starc to Hafeez, Another length ball around off, the batsman blocks it out. |
| 60.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, Slower and on middle, spinning in, Imam turns it into square leg. |
| 60.2 : Jon Holland to Imam, A bit shorter of a full length, spinning sharply into Imam, the southpaw looking to punch it through the off side, gets cramped and ends up jabbing it back to the bowler. |
| 60.3 : Jon Holland to Imam, Imam dances down the track, as he has done numerous times today, does not get to the pitch of the ball and hence defends. |
| 60.4 : Jon Holland to Imam, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 60.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, Slower but a bit shorter on off, defended off the back foot by the left-hander. |
| 60.6 : Jon Holland to Imam, SIX! This is modern day cricket! Simply fearless. It was the last ball of this session but Imam does not care. He charges down the track to this tossed up ball on middle and off, he swings his bat and with the turn sends the nut sailing way into the stands behind deep mid-wicket. That's the end of another dominating session for Pakistan. THAT'S TEA. |
| Yet another amazing session for Pakistan. They scored 110 runs in it and the openers are still there in the middle. Mohammad Hafeez notched up an impressive century on his comeback. His partner is a bit more cautious playing at 75 but he too has looked super impressive in his approach. The Australian bowlers have tried hard on this flat and slow pitch but without any luck. Hafeez's drop on 74 by Mitchell Marsh did not help their cause either. However, the track did start turning towards the end |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| We are back for the finals session! The over-rate has been excellent so we have only 29 overs left in the day. Mohammad Hafeez and Imam-ul-Haq will resume their innings. The former will be on strike and he will face Mitchell Starc. Here we go... |
| 61.1 : M Starc to Hafeez, Runs straightaway as Starc bowls it full and wide outside off. Hafeez reaches out to it and guides it through point. The fielder from third man runs to his right, picks it up and then realizes he is going to cross the rope. He throws it up in the air, goes out of play, comes back in and then throws it towards the keeper. The batsmen in the meantime collect three. The umpire goes upstairs to check whether the fielding effort is clean and yes it is. |
| 61.2 : M Starc to Imam, Full ball and tailing back in, Imam works it towards mid-wicket. |
| 61.3 : M Starc to Imam, Goes full again on middle, Imam strokes it towards mid on for a quick run. |
| 61.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, A good change in length there by Starc, he bowls a bouncer on middle, Hafeez ducks under it. |
| 61.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, Goes very full on off, MH times it to mid off. |
| 61.6 : M Starc to Hafeez, Another full delivery outside off, Hafeez guides it down to third man for a run. |
| Nathan Lyon to bowl from the other end. |
| 62.1 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Nicely played for a run! Hafeez waits for the ball to come to him and then guides it towards deep backward point for a run. |
| 62.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Gives it air on middle, Imam keeps it out. |
| 62.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Another tossed up delivery on off, Imam blocks it out. |
| 62.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Lyon who has been consistently hitting one area does so again and on the stumps, Imam is solid in defense. |
| 62.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 62.6 : N Lyon to Imam, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Australia finally breakthrough. Nathan Lyon strikes and he has ended the massive 205-run stand. He bowls it quicker and on the shorter side outside off, Imam goes to cut but it is a touch too close to play that stroke. The ball takes the outside edge and goes into the mitts of Paine who takes it and appeals. The umpire raises his finger and ends Imam's innings. He has played a lovely knock, a patient knock but is disappointed on missing out on a ton. Id |
| Azhar Ali makes his way to the middle. |
| 63.1 : M Starc to Hafeez, FOUR! Exquisite! Full and on off, Hafeez caresses it through covers and the ball races away. He looks so elegant playing those strokes. A very delightful player to the eye at his best. |
| 63.2 : M Starc to Hafeez, A bumper, Hafeez ducks under it. |
| 63.3 : M Starc to Hafeez, Another bouncer and Hafeez again ducks under it. |
| 63.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, Third bouncer in a row, this is more of a rib-tickler. Hafeez mistimes his pull towards fine leg for a run. |
| 63.5 : M Starc to Ali, Goes for another bumper but it is down the leg side. Ali lets it be. |
| 63.6 : M Starc to Ali, On the fuller side around off, Azhar jams it out to the fielder at point. |
| 64.1 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Flighted ball around off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 64.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Flatter on off, turns back in. Hafeez manages to block it out. |
| 64.3 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Floats it up on off, Hafeez lunges and keeps it out. |
| 64.4 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Quicker and on middle, the batsman works it to mid-wicket. |
| 64.5 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Works it with the turn to the man at short leg. |
| 64.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, A dot to end! Another maiden by Lyon as he gives it air around off and it has been defended. |
| 65.1 : M Starc to Ali, On the shorter side outside off, Ali lets it be. Not the right tactic I feel, a new batsman and with the ball reversing a little, stumps is where Starc should bowl. |
| 65.2 : M Starc to Ali, Perfect! Around off and on a length. Ali plays it late and towards point. |
| 65.3 : M Starc to Ali, A little too full by Starc, Ali strokes it through covers for a run. |
| 65.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, On a length and around off, Hafeez opens the face of the bat and guides it through point. Some good running helps the batsmen take a brace. |
| 65.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, No ball! Starc has overstepped again! It is a bouncer down the leg side, Hafeez ducks under it. Paine does not collect it cleanly and concedes a bye. |
| M Starc to Ali, Back of a length on off, Ali defends it off the back foot. |
| 65.6 : M Starc to Ali, With the angle, Azhar flicks it towards fine leg for a run. |
| 66.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Tossed up around off, Ali lunges forward in defense. |
| 66.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Fuller in line with the stumps, Azhar flicks it with the turn into mid-wicket. |
| 66.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Flatter on middle, turned away into the square leg region by the batsman. |
| 66.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Quicker again on middle and off, Azhar blocks it from within his crease. |
| 66.5 : N Lyon to Ali, Full and on the batman's pads, Ali flicks it into the mid-wicket region. |
| 66.6 : N Lyon to Ali, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Peter Siddle comes into the attack. |
| 67.1 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Starts with a good length ball around off and slanting into the batsman, Hafeez looks to flick but misses to get hit on his pads. The ball rolls into the square leg region and allows the batsmen to cross over for a leg bye. |
| 67.2 : P Siddle to Ali, A bit fuller in line with the stumps, Ali strokes this to mid on. |
| 67.3 : P Siddle to Ali, FOUR! Wonderful straight drive! Siddle dishes it full again around off, Azhar leans forward and drives it straight past the right of the bowler. The fielder at mid on chases it, dives and it seems he has pulled it back before crossing the rope. The umpire goes upstairs to check if it was cleanly stopped, and it's a boundary as the fielder's arm is touching the rope as he tries to pull the ball back in play. Lovely shot this from Ali. |
| 67.4 : P Siddle to Ali, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 67.5 : P Siddle to Ali, Strays on his pads but Ali cannot take toll of it as he flicks it straight to square leg. |
| 67.6 : P Siddle to Ali, In the corridor around off, Azhar has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 68.1 : N Lyon to Hafeez, On the off stump, Hafeez taps it towards covers and takes a quick single. |
| 68.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Another tossed up ball on off, Ali lunges and blocks it. |
| 68.3 : N Lyon to Ali, This is quicker and on off, Ali at the very end, blocks it out. |
| 68.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of the ball, blocks it. |
| 68.5 : N Lyon to Ali, Dances down again and works it to mid on. |
| 68.6 : N Lyon to Ali, The faster one on off, Ali punches it to covers. |
| 69.1 : P Siddle to Hafeez, That has come back in sharply. On a length around off, it jags back in. Hafeez tries to keep it out but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 69.2 : P Siddle to Hafeez, This one also comes back in from outside off, Hafeez spots it early and keeps it out. |
| Hafeez is a goner! He has been adjudged LBW but has opted for the review after a chat with his partner. Looks quite adjacent. |
| 69.3 : P Siddle to Hafeez, OUT! It is clipping the leg pole and it remains umpire's call. So Pakistan do not lose a review but lose Hafeez. End of a brilliant innings. He walks off to a standing ovation and he deserves every bit of it. Siddle bowls another in dipper, this one comes back in a long way from outside off and that too late. Hafeez tires to flick but is done in by the movement. The ball hits him on the front pad. The players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. MH walks up to his p |
| Haris Sohail is the new man in. |
| 69.4 : P Siddle to Sohail, Around middle, worked to mid-wicket. |
| 69.5 : P Siddle to Sohail, On a length around off, kept out. |
| 69.6 : P Siddle to Sohail, Back of a length around off, the batsman pushes it to covers. |
| 70.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Tossed up ball around off, Ali drives it to mid off. |
| 70.2 : N Lyon to Ali, A bit fuller and quicker on the stumps, Azhar pushes this back to the bowler. |
| 70.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Flighted and on the middle stump line, Ali defends from within the crease. |
| 70.4 : N Lyon to Ali, A similar ball and similar defense by Ali. |
| 70.5 : N Lyon to Ali, A full length delivery on off is stroked to mid on by the right-hander. |
| 70.6 : N Lyon to Ali, Tossed up around off, spinning in. Ali lunges forward to defend but the ball turns in, misses his bat and hits the front pad. A stifled appeal is made by Lyon but not much in it as he was struck outside the line. End of a good over by the offie. |
| 71.1 : P Siddle to Sohail, On a length and around off, Sohail shoulders arms to it. |
| 71.2 : P Siddle to Sohail, Good length around off, the batsman blocks it out. |
| 71.3 : P Siddle to Sohail, Shortish around middle, Sohail works it towards mid-wicket. The fielder there scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end but the batsman is well in. |
| 71.4 : Siddle to Sohail, Was there an edge? Well the umpire does not feel so! He thinks the noise is of the bat hitting the ground. It is full and outside off, Sohail goes for the booming drive away from his body. There is a noise as the ball passes the bat. Paine takes it with a dive and appeals but the umpire does not agree. There is a chat between the skipper and the bowler but they do not review and rightly so, as replays show the sound was of the bat hitting the ground. Excellent decision by |
| 71.5 : P Siddle to H Sohail, Another beauty! On a length and around off, it shapes away. Sohail tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes on the bounce to first slip. |
| 71.6 : P Siddle to Sohail, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| Howzzat? Not out is the answer. Lyon appeals for an LBW but the umpire does not agree. Ali is the man in question. Impact seems to be an issue. |
| 72.1 : N Lyon to Ali, NOT OUT! Impact it outside off and Australia lose a review. The impact was always an issue, not a very good review by Australia. This is tossed up outside off, comes back in. Ali tries to play the paddle sweep but misses to get hit on the pads. The Aussies make a huge appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Paine then goes for the review and replays show that the impact is outside off. |
| 72.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Floats it up on off, Ali blocks it. |
| 72.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Another tossed up ball on off, kept out. |
| 72.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Ali uses his feet but Lyon shortens his length. It turns back in and hits the pad of Ali. It lobs towards short leg who takes it and appeals but the umpire shakes his head. |
| 72.5 : N Lyon to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 72.6 : N Lyon to Ali, Flatter outside off, punched against the spin towards covers. |
| 73.1 : P Siddle to H Sohail, On a length around off, kept out. There is a slip which is quite close with a helmet on. |
| 73.2 : P Siddle to Sohail, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 73.3 : P Siddle to Sohail, Good length around off, kept out. |
| 73.4 : P Siddle to Sohail, BEAUTY! Changes the angle and bowls it from around the wicket. It comes back in late but not enough as Sohail makes a brave leave. Paine fumbles behind and a bye is taken. |
| 73.5 : P Siddle to Ali, On a length around off, kept out. |
| 73.6 : P Siddle to Ali, Length ball again around off, the batsman defends it out. |
| 74.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, Flatter around off, Sohail pushes it through covers for a run. |
| 74.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Floats it around off, defended. |
| 74.3 : N Lyon to Ali, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 74.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Ali plays this really well, the ball shoots after pitching and also turns back in. Ali takes one hand off the glove and pays it down onto the ground. |
| 74.5 : N Lyon to Ali, Works it with the turn to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 74.6 : N Lyon to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Drinks. A much-better hour from the Aussies as they have managed to get both the openers. They will look to make further inroads and get right back in this match. The current Pakistan pair will want to be there till the end of the day's play. Let's see what happens in the last hour. |
| 75.1 : P Siddle to Sohail, Siddle continues after the break with a good length ball around off from around the wicket. Sohail defends it off the front foot. |
| 75.2 : P Siddle to Sohail, Fractionall shorter of a good length this but a similar line to the previous ball. Haris keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 75.3 : P Siddle to Sohail, The pacer is getting appreciable inward movement, he dishes this on a length around off coming into the southpaw, Haris blocks it out. |
| 75.4 : P Siddle to Sohail, A bit shorter of good length and just outside off, Sohail opens his bat face and runs it down towards the third man region. |
| 75.5 : P Siddle to Sohail, A bit short outside off, Haris pushes it towards point. |
| 75.6 : P Siddle to Sohail, Defended off the back foot by Sohail to end a maiden over. |
| 76.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Lyon keeps it full on middle, Azhar defends with his head right on top of the ball. |
| 76.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Fuller on middle, Azhar flicks this to mid-wicket. |
| 76.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Goes for the paddle sweep awkwardly and gets it fine into the leg side to pick up a single. |
| 76.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by Sohail presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 76.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, A loopy delivery but a bit wide of off, Sohail is not tempted to play at it. |
| 76.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Haris has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Mitchell Starc comes back into the attack. |
| 77.1 : M Starc to Ali, Starts with a back of a length delivery from over the wicket shaping into Azhar, Ali gets on his toes to confidently block it from his crease. |
| 77.2 : M Starc to Ali, Dishes this one on a good length around off, Azhar instead of coming forward stays back, the ball keeps a bit low and luckily for Ali the ball hits the bottom part of his bat and onto the ground. |
| 77.3 : M Starc to Ali, Strays way down leg, Paine does well by diving to his left and pouching it in his mitts. |
| 77.4 : M Starc to Ali, Starc overcompensates and fires this length ball wide of off, Ali does not flirt with it and lets it go. |
| 77.5 : M Starc to Ali, Starc goes for his special delivery, the toe crushing yorker, misses his line, strays on the pads of the batsman. Ali flicks it to square leg to cross over. |
| 77.6 : M Starc to Sohail, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 78.1 : N Lyon to Ali, A lion-hearted effort by Lyon as he starts his 31st over by bowling a flighted delivery on middle and leg, Azhar pushes it softly to mid on. |
| 78.2 : N Lyon to Ali, A full length ball on off is turned away into the mid-wicket region. |
| 78.3 : N Lyon to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 78.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Tossed up on off, enticing the batsman to go for a lofted shot but Ali is smart enough not to get caught in the trap as he defends it from the crease. |
| 78.5 : N Lyon to Ali, Dances down the track to this shorter of a full length ball on off, defends it in the end as he does not reach the pitch of the ball. |
| 78.6 : N Lyon to Ali, Ali defends it from within the crease to end a maiden over. |
| 79.1 : M Starc to Sohail, Fires this full and fast delivery on off, Haris blocks it off the front foot. |
| 79.2 : M Starc to Sohail, Haris shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 79.3 : M Starc to Sohail, Better from the left-arm pacer as he lands this around off, shaping into the batsman, Sohail is good enough to keep it out off the back foot. |
| 79.4 : M Starc to Sohail, Breaks the sequence of dots by driving this full length ball outside off through covers, the timing ain't perfect and hence the batsmen can only get a brace for it. |
| 79.5 : M Starc to Sohail, Bumper! Tries to surprise the batsman with a change in length, Sohail ducks under it. |
| 79.6 : M Starc to Sohail, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot to end the 80th over. The new ball is on offer for Australia now. |
| The second new ball is now available. |
| 80.1 : N Lyon to Ali, The new ball has not been taken as Lyon tosses this one on middle and off, Azhar leans forward and turns it into the mid-wicket region with a wristy shot, gets off strike. |
| 80.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Slower and a bit shorter, allows Haris to go back and punch it to covers. |
| 80.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Sohail has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 80.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, Tossed up again in line with the stumps, Haris lunges forward in defense. |
| 80.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, The southpaw has defended it with a straight bat and by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 80.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Full length ball on middle is flicked to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 81.1 : M Starc to Sohail, Starc loses his mark and fires this full ball on Sohail's pads, the southpaw nudges this to fine leg to exchange strike. |
| 81.2 : M Starc to Ali, Starc trying to bowl his special delivery, the one which comes into the right-hander from around the wicket and straightens on landing. But on this pitch he seems to be struggling a bit as he keeps it on a good length around off and Ali easily defends it off the front foot as there is no lateral movement. Tough work for the pacers here. |
| 81.3 : M Starc to Ali, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 81.4 : M Starc to A Ali, Fuller ball this attacking the stumps, Ali leans ahead and drives to mid on. |
| 81.5 : M Starc to Ali, A back of a good length ball around off, Ali leans back, opens the bat face slightly and taps it towards point to take a run. |
| 81.6 : M Starc to Sohail, Full and fast again on off, Sohail strokes this crisply to mid on. |
| 82.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Tossed up ball outside off, Ali leans forward and across and square drives this through point to get a brace. |
| 82.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Flatter and a bit shorter on off, Ali defends from the crease. |
| 82.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Similar delivery this, may be a bit fuller. Ali goes back to defend and just about keeps it out with a straight bat. |
| 82.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Slower and full in length on off, Azhar prods forward to drive it to mid on. |
| 82.5 : N Lyon to A Ali, A mirror image of the previous ball this. |
| 82.6 : N Lyon to Ali, Lyon tossed this one up on middle and off, Ali does well to get right forward and keep it out. |
| 83.1 : M Starc to H Sohail, Very full and on middle, the batsman drives it to mid off. |
| 83.2 : M Starc to Sohail, Tries a bit too much and ends up straying it down the leg side. Captain Paine does really well to dive to his left and pouch it. |
| 83.3 : M Starc to Sohail, Dishes this full but outside off, Sohail points his bat skywards. |
| 83.4 : M Starc to Sohail, One of the best deliveries in cricket, the perfect yorker. Sohail does really well to dig it out in time. Good all round cricket this. |
| 83.5 : M Starc to Sohail, Similar ball, yorker and Sohail does well as he keeps it out easily. |
| 83.6 : M Starc to Sohail, Haris lets the ball go which is fired outside his off stump. |
| Jon Holland comes back into the attack. |
| 84.1 : Jon Holland to Ali, Slow and full on middle, Ali prods forward in defense. |
| 84.2 : Jon Holland to Ali, Azhar has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 84.3 : Jon Holland to Ali, FOUR! And out of no where Ali dances down the track and lofts it towards long on. The ball bounces before crossing the fence. Risky shot with the ball turning. Jon won't mind this. |
| 84.4 : Jon Holland to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 84.5 : Jon Holland to Ali, Ali goes on the back foot to defend this short of a length delivery on off. |
| 84.6 : Jon Holland to Ali, A bit shorter of a good length around off, Ali waits a bit longer and taps it into the point region. |
| Mitchell Marsh to have a go before Stumps. 5 more overs left in the day's play. |
| 85.1 : M Marsh to Sohail, Not a good start for MM as he fires this on Sohail's pads, Haris just nudges it towards fine leg to get to the other end. |
| 85.2 : M Marsh to Ali, A bit straighter this, Ali leans across and flicks it towards square leg for a single. |
| 85.3 : M Marsh to Sohail, Similar ball again, on the pads but this time to the southpaw who flicks it into the leg side to add a run. |
| 85.4 : M Marsh to Ali, Ali has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 85.5 : M Marsh to Ali, A bit too straight again and at his pace he just cannot afford to stray in line or length. Dishes it on the legs of the batsman and is flicked to square leg for a single. |
| 85.6 : M Marsh to Sohail, Sohail opens his bat face to this length ball on off and guides it towards point to get a single and retain strike. |
| 86.1 : Jon Holland to Sohail, A bit too quick this for his liking and attacking the stumps, Sohail from his crease flicks it to square leg and gets off strike. |
| 86.2 : Jon Holland to Ali, Nicely bowled! Jon slows this down and keeps it full just outside off, Ali leaves but there are Aahs and Oohs from the Aussies as the ball passes very near to the off pole. |
| 86.3 : Jon Holland to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 86.4 : Jon Holland to Ali, Tossed up around off, Ali comes ahead to defend it solidly. |
| 86.5 : Jon Holland to Ali, OUT! A wicket is thrown away. Talk about showing a lot of patience and then losing it just before the end of day's play. A complete waste. Here is where temperament comes into play, this is Test cricket. With just 3 overs remaining for Stumps, Ali charges down the track and tries to loft it over extra cover. But due to the lack of away spin his connection is very poor and the ball lobs towards long off. Mitchell Starc stationed half way in from the ropes initially misju |
| Mohammad Abbas is the new man in. So Pakistan have sent out a nightwatchman. |
| 86.6 : Jon Holland to Abbas, Slower and a bit outside off, played into the point region by the new batsman Abbas. |
| Change of ends for Mitchell Starc. I feel they have got him on to get rid of the tailender. Be ready for some yorkers Abbas. |
| 87.1 : M Starc to Abbas, Not a yorker but a good delivery! On a length around off, it pitches and then leaves the batsman. Abbas hangs his bat out and gets beaten. |
| 87.2 : M Starc to Abbas, Length outside off, Abbas makes a good leave. |
| 87.3 : M Starc to Abbas, Wide outside off again, Starc is disappointed with himself as he knows that was not a good delivery. Abbas lets it be. |
| 87.4 : M Starc to Abbas, FOUR LEG BYES! He does go for the yorker but it was down the leg side, Abbas tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire shakes his head. The ball crosses the fine leg fence. |
| 87.5 : M Starc to Abbas, On a length again outside off, Abbas first thinks of playing at it but then pulls his bat out of the way. |
| 87.6 : M Starc to Abbas, That was very fast! He goes for a yorker but ends up bowling a full toss. Abbas misses it completely and it goes close past the off pole. Starc is now down in pain. Not good sings here, Australia will hope it is just cramp. |
| 88.1 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Fuller on the pads, flicked to mid-wicket by Sohail. |
| 88.2 : Jon Holland to Sohail, SIX! These modern day batsmen just keep surprising us. Sohail dances down the track in the 89th over, Jon has bowled a flighted ball around off, Haris nicely gets under it, swings his bat through the line, he is able to get good elevation on it, the ball is seen sailing over the straight boundary. Brave cricket... only when it comes off though. |
| 88.3 : Jon Holland to Sohail, A bit shorter on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 88.4 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Quicker and full on middle and leg line, Haris flicks this to mid-wicket. |
| 88.5 : Jon Holland to Sohail, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 88.6 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Good patience shown by the southpaw, he controls himself from coming down the track again, stays in the crease and keeps it out safely. |
| 89.1 : M Starc to Abbas, Starc steams in for the final over and angles in a length ball on off, Abbas does well to block it from the crease. He will be counting the balls, surely. |
| 89.2 : M Starc to Abbas, With a leg gully in place, Starc serves a good length delivery in the channel outside off, Abbas makes an easy leave. |
| 89.3 : M Starc to Abbas, Beaten! Starc gets close to the off stump line with a back of a length delivery. Abbas is stuck inside the crease as he pushes inside the line and misses. |
| 89.4 : M Starc to Abbas, Beaten again! On a length and outside off, straightening a bit, Abbas once again feels for it and gets beaten. |
| 89.5 : M Starc to Abbas, Spears in a full ball on off, Abbas brings down a straight bat in defense. |
| 89.6 : M Starc to Abbas, The last delivery of the day is bowled down the leg side. Abbas has nothing to do with it and Paine collects it to his left. Stumps on Day 1. |
| This session - 29 overs, 56 runs and 3 wickets. Australia have fought back brilliantly in the last session. Nathan Lyon was the bowler to provide the first breakthrough as he removed Imam-ul-Haq, who was eyeing his maiden Test hundred. Soon after that, Mohammad Hafeez was trapped in front by Peter Siddle and the Aussies suddenly found themselves in a good space. The next batting pair, Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail, then went into a shell and just when it looked the two will play out the day, Ali th |
| Earlier in the morning, after electing to bat, Pakistan got off to the best possible start. Their openers put together a double century stand to pressurize the Australians. The pitch was quite flat and there was nothing on offer for the bowlers. Still, credit should be given to the Aussie bowlers for sticking to the task and trying hard on an unresponsive deck. Towards the end, the ball started to reverse and there was some spin on offer too. The Kangaroos made good use of that and not only pick |
| Right then, Australia now will want to come out on Day 2 and pick wickets at regular intervals. Pakistan, on the other hand, will have to adopt a more positive approach, if they want to achieve a big first innings total. Let's hope for an entertaining Monday. Join us at 1000 local (0600 GMT) for all the coverage. Till then goodbye and take care. |
| ... DAY 2, MORNING SESSION ... |
| Gritty, testing (boring) day of Test cricket. Apologies to all those cricket lovers who felt hurt by the word mentioned in the brackets, but that is how Day 1 unfolded. The openers added 205 but the ball was not doing much and neither were they attacking. And then, in the final session, Australia came back with the ball reversing and runs were hard to come by. How will Monday turn out to be? Hello and a warm welcome to the second day of the opening Test between Pakistan and Australia in Dubai. |
| Normally, in cricket, they say - play out the new balls and then scoring will get easier. However, here, once the ball got old, it became increasing difficult to play. This is evident from the final session, where only 56 runs were scored for the loss of 3 wickets. That brings us and Australia to the most important question - WILL THE SECOND NEW BALL BE TAKEN? |
| Talking about Pakistan - well, they will be gutted with themselves. As my colleague Ashutosh, who just managed to check the score, quips 'Won toss, batted first, had a double century stand, lost just 3 wickets but scored just 255? They should have scored 350 at least!' He has a point. Playing against the old ball was tough but against the new ball, especially with no movement, they should have dictated terms. Australia were bowling well, but certainly, they could have got at least 300. |
| A word about Mohammad Hafeez. He was the one who impressed the most. He showed how to play on this track and was the only one who was consumed by a terrific delivery. Pakistan still have Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam in their ranks but there is that inexperience which lingers. If the Aussies manage to get a couple of wickets early this morning, they will really give themselves a high hope of keeping Pakistan to 350 or below. |
| Brendan Julian is having a chat with Mitchell Starc. On yesterday's proceedings, the latter says - that is Test cricket. A bit of a struggle and then a bit of a fightback. Is happy with the way Australia bounced back. On the ball reversing after getting old, Mitchell says that it got softer which made it very difficult to play. Hopes to try and pick up the remaining wickets as quickly as possible. On a summary of Day 1, he reckons that the team was good in the first session, but things started t |
| The players make their way out to the middle. Haris Sohail and night watchman Mohammad Abbas stride out. The latter had a tough time in the last few overs of the day with the ball moving around like a hoop. Peter Siddle it will be to start off proceedings. Sohail to face. Here we go! |
| 90.1 : P Siddle to Sohail, Starts Day 2 with a length ball attacking the stumps, Haris flicks it through mid-wicket to pick up a brace and get underway today. |
| 90.2 : P Siddle to Sohail, Fuller around off, kept out off the front foot. |
| 90.3 : P Siddle to H Sohail, A bit more fuller around off, a bit of shape back into the southpaw, Haris blocks it from within the crease. |
| 90.4 : P Siddle to Sohail, Similar length but a bit wide of off allowing Haris to leave it alone. |
| 90.5 : P Siddle to Sohail, Very full again , almost yorker length just outside off, the southpaw squeezes it through point to get off strike. The nightwatchman Abbas on strike now. |
| 90.6 : P Siddle to Abbas, A good length ball outside off, Abbas tries to play at it but misses. Siddle should have attacked the stumps though. |
| Mitchell Starc to bowl from the other end. |
| 91.1 : M Starc to Sohail, Starc starts from over the wicket and dishes out a full pitch delivery outside off, Sohail shoulders arms. It will be important for the Aussie bowlers to make the batsmen play before they get their eye in. |
| 91.2 : M Starc to Sohail, Very full around off, Haris leans forward and drives it crisply straight to covers. |
| 91.3 : M Starc to Sohail, This one is on a good length around off, Haris manages to block it off the back foot. Not much movement on offer here. |
| 91.4 : M Starc to Sohail, Fuller and around off again, the southpaw drives gently to mid off. |
| 91.5 : M Starc to Sohail, Drags his length bac a bit and keeps it marginally shorter of good length around off, Haris keeps it out. |
| 91.6 : M Starc to Sohail, Bumper to end the over. Haris spots it early and ducks under it. |
| 92.1 : P Siddle to Abbas, Good delivery this, Siddle lands this a bit shorter than good length just outside off, it pitches and moves away ever so slightly beating the tentative push from the tail-ender. |
| 92.2 : P Siddle to Abbas, Dishes this one on a length on off, Abbas does well to keep it out. |
| 92.3 : P Siddle to Abbas, Angling into Abbas this one on a good length, Abbas tries to flick but misses, the ball brushes the back of his pad and goes behind to Paine. |
| 92.4 : P Siddle to Abbas, A bit wide of off, Abbas is happy to leave it. |
| 92.5 : P Siddle to Abbas, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 92.6 : P Siddle to Abbas, Better from Siddle as he attacks the middle and keeps it full and straight, the ball has a bit of inward shape on it, Abbas does well to keep it out from his crease. |
| 93.1 : M Starc to Sohail, A good length ball around off, Haris defends off the back foot. |
| 93.2 : M Starc to Sohail, A bit shorter in length angling into the southpaw, Haris tries to block it but gets an inside edge towards fine leg and changes strike. Tail-ender on strike now. Starc has 4 balls to get his man. |
| 93.3 : M Starc to Abbas, Bangs this one short from around the wicket targeting his ribs, Abbas does well to duck under it. It brushes his back before going behind to Paine. |
| 93.4 : M Starc to Abbas, Very full around off, Abbas defends off the back foot from the crease. |
| 93.5 : M Starc to Abbas, Full again but a bit outside off, Abbas will not flirt with these. Gotta make him play. |
| 93.6 : M Starc to Abbas, Fast and full at 139.8 kph, it is just outside off though allowing the tail-ender to watchfully leave it alone. |
| 94.1 : P Siddle to Sohail, Fuller and around off from around the wicket, Haris patiently blocks it from his crease. |
| 94.2 : P Siddle to Sohail, A bit straighter in line angling into Sohail, the southpaw just turns it into the mid-wicket region to change strike. |
| 94.3 : P Siddle to Abbas, A bit straighter in line angling into Sohail, the southpaw just turns it into the mid-wicket region to change strike. |
| 94.4 : P Siddle to Abbas, OUT! Bowled! The night watchman is dismissed by a peach of a delivery. This would have challenged the best of batsmen, let alone the tail-ender. Siddle lands this on a length around off, the ball has a slight inward shape on it but as it lands it straightens a bit. Abbas looking to play at it from the crease it beaten by the away movement and the ball crashes into the off stump. Rattle! Australia draw first blood on Day 2. Can they make further inroads? |
| Asad Shafiq walks in at number 6, replacing Abbas. |
| 94.5 : P Siddle to Shafiq, Marginally short of good length around off, Shafiq blocks it off the back foot. |
| 94.6 : P Siddle to Shafiq, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. A successful over by Peter comes to an end. |
| 95.1 : M Starc to H Sohail, Some reserve swing on offer, surely. This will encourage Starc. He fires this full and on off, it swings in late but Haris is good enough to keep it out. |
| 95.2 : M Starc to Sohail, A good length ball around off, Angling in a bit, Haris blocks this off the back foot. |
| 95.3 : M Starc to Sohail, Good length but wide of off, Haris is happy to point his bat skywards. |
| 95.4 : M Starc to Sohail, Full again on off, Haris pushes this off the front foot into the cover region to pick up a single. Haris wanted the second but was rightly sent back by his partner. |
| 95.5 : M Starc to Shafiq, Fuller this on off, Abbas blocks this from within his crease. |
| 95.6 : M Starc to Shafiq, A bit shorter and wide of off, Abbas lets it be to end the over and survive for the next. |
| 96.1 : P Siddle to Sohail, Keeps it full and a bit wide of off from around the wicket, may be hoping that the southpaw will reach out for it but the he disappoints the bowler as he leaves it alone. |
| 96.2 : P Siddle to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 96.3 : P Siddle to Sohail, Dishes this very full on middle and leg with a bit of inward movement, Haris keeps it out easily. |
| 96.4 : P Siddle to Sohail, Full and fast on off, Haris drives it to covers. |
| 96.5 : P Siddle to Sohail, Full again, making the batsmen play but there is not much movement and Haris defends it off the front foot. |
| 96.6 : P Siddle to Sohail, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot to end a maiden by Siddle. |
| 97.1 : M Starc to Shafiq, Fractionally shorter of good length around off, Shafiq goes back and taps it to point. |
| 97.2 : M Starc to Shafiq, A bit straighter this attacking the stumps from arounbd the wicket, Shafiq gets across and plays it into the mid-wicket region. |
| 97.3 : M Starc to Shafiq, Fires this one wide of off, Shafiq shoulders arms. |
| 97.4 : M Starc to Shafiq, Starc should make the batsmen play, it is not easy bowling fast in this heat and moreover if you don't make the batsmen play it is a waste of energy. Also it allows the batsmen to get their eye in. Keeps this a bit short and outside off, Shafiq leaves it watchfully. |
| 97.5 : M Starc to Shafiq, Very full around off, driven softly to mid off. |
| 97.6 : M Starc to Shafiq, Yorker to end the over, Shafiq does well to dig this out. |
| 98.1 : P Siddle to Sohail, Siddle bangs this in the middle, but there is no pace in this track and Sohail easily ducks under it. |
| 98.2 : P Siddle to Sohail, Bouncer again, Haris does the sit-up again. |
| 98.3 : P Siddle to Sohail, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 98.4 : P Siddle to Sohail, Fuller again around off, defended off the front foot by Sohail. |
| The GOAT is warming up. Probably looking for some grass on this road... |
| 98.5 : P Siddle to Sohail, On a good length around off, Haris pushes this into the cover region. |
| 98.6 : P Siddle to H Sohail, Very full around off, seems like Siddle is managing to get some reverse swing as the ball tailing in just moves away at the last moment. Haris is well set though to keep it out safely to end the over. |
| 99.1 : M Starc to Shafiq, Starc on the mark from the very first ball of the new over. Keeps it on a good length around off from around the wicket. Shafiq taps it into the cover-point region off the back foot. |
| 99.2 : M Starc to Shafiq, Banged in very short and keeps it way wide outside off, waste of energy this as Shafiq has nothing to do with it. |
| 99.3 : M Starc to Shafiq, Now he tries a bit too much and strays this down the leg side, Paine does well to dive to his left and pouch it. |
| 99.4 : M Starc to Shafiq, Full, fast and on off, the right-hander defends off the front foot. |
| 99.5 : M Starc to Shafiq, Fuller again attacking the stumps, Shafiq pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 99.6 : M Starc to Shafiq, 4th maiden on the trot but no need for the Asian team to panic. Starc bangs it a bit shorter in length angling into the batsman, Shafiq keeps it out off the back foot. End of over no. 100. |
| 100.1 : P Siddle to Sohail, A bit fuller around off, Haris drives it to mid off. |
| 100.2 : P Siddle to Sohail, On a good length and straighter in line, allows the southpaw to flicks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 100.3 : P Siddle to Sohail, Keeps it on a similar length but the line is just outside off, Sohail pushes it thorugh point to pick up a run and get off strike. This is the first run after 28 dot balls. |
| 100.4 : P Siddle to Shafiq, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 100.5 : P Siddle to Shafiq, Fuller delivery around the off pole, Shafiq comes forward in defense. |
| 100.6 : P Siddle to Shafiq, On a length and with an inward shape into the batsman, Shafiq tries to work it into the leg side but misses and gets rapped on the pads. No run on offer. |
| Mitchell Marsh has been brought on. |
| 101.1 : M Marsh to Sohail, The all-rounder starts from around the wicket and keeps it a bit shorter in length and wide of off, Sohail lets it be. |
| 101.2 : M Marsh to Sohail, Better from MM as he fires this on one a good length around off, Haris is well set and defends off the front foot. |
| 101.3 : M Marsh to Sohail, Marginally shorter of good length around off, MM is not that quick and that allows Haris to go back, open his bat face and guide it towards third man to exchange strike. |
| 101.4 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Strays down the leg does Mitchell, Shafiq tries to flick but misses. |
| 101.5 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Almost, almost goes thorugh. He keeps this on a good length around off, the lands and nips in a bit to take the inside edge and runs towards square leg. A run results. |
| 101.6 : M Marsh to Sohail, FOUR! Beautiful bowling from Marsh! Who would have though he would be the one who will create maximum problems for the batsmen? He dishes this full length ball around off from around the wicket. The ball hits the deck and straightens to take Sohail's outside edge and the ball flies through the vacant second slip region and crosses the boundary. |
| 102.1 : P Siddle to Shafiq, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 102.2 : P Siddle to Shafiq, A bit shorter in length and just outside off, Shafiq goes for the cut but gets a bottom edge for the ball to roll towards covers. |
| 102.3 : P Siddle to Shafiq, Tight bowling this from Peter as he keeps this on a length around off, the right-hander blocks it off the back foot. |
| 102.4 : P Siddle to Shafiq, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| The keeper is upto the stumps, by the way, for Siddle. |
| 102.5 : P Siddle to Shafiq, Continues to attack the corridor around off, Shafiq does well to defend it off the front foot. |
| 102.6 : P Siddle to Shafiq, Similar ball and Shafiq has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 103.1 : M Marsh to Sohail, Starts the new over with a good length ball around off, Haris waits on his back foot and taps it into the point region to get a single. |
| 103.2 : M Marsh to Shafiq, MM is doing well to keep the ball in the area of uncertainty, Sohail though blocks this length ball on off off the back foot. |
| 103.3 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Errs in line, just a bit and that allows Shafiq to turn it into the square leg region to get off strike. |
| 103.4 : M Marsh to Sohail, Too much of an angle from around the wicket results in the ball going down the leg, Paine does well to dive to his right and grab it. |
| 103.5 : M Marsh to Sohail, Marginally shorter of a good length around off, blocked off the back foot. |
| 103.6 : M Marsh to Sohail, FOUR! Second streaky boundary today, Marsh bowling well here as he keeps this just back f a good length around off. The ball hits the deck and deviates awy just that bit to take the outside of Haris's bat and the ball flies thorugh the slip cordon for the second boundary of the day. Aussis must be dearly hoping for some luck to go their way. |
| DRINKS BREAK. Runs have come at a snail's pace. Not quite sure who would be more disappointed. Pakistan? Because they have not scored much runs? Or Australia? Because they have picked up just a wicket? Here's Nathan Lyon... |
| 104.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 104.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Short and outside off, Shafiq looks to cut but misses. Almost similar to the way Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed yesterday. |
| 104.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Good fielding. Short and outside off, Shafiq punches it towards mid on but Lyon dives full stretch and stops it cleanly. |
| 104.4 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Pushes it past mid on and gets a single. |
| Brendan Julian seems to be of this particular opinion. 'Pakistan can bat the whole day as slowly as they like. This pitch is only going to get worse.' |
| 104.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 104.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Full and around off, watchfully pushed back. |
| 105.1 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Outstanding fielding by Labuchagne at deep backward square leg, efforts like these bossts the moral of the fielding side, specially in conditions like these. MM lands this full attacking Shafiq's pads, the right-hander flicks it into the square leg region with good timing but Labuchagne station at the fence there races to his right, slides and stops the ball from crossing the boundary and in the process saves two for his side. |
| 105.2 : M Marsh to Shafiq, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 105.3 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Fuller in length attacking the stumps, turned into the mid-wicket region by Shafiq. |
| 105.4 : M Marsh to Shafiq, On a good length around off, Shafiq pushes this gently to covers. |
| 105.5 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Defended off the back foot by the right-hander. |
| 105.6 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Again a bit short angling into Shafiq's body, the batsman tucks it into the leg side and onto the ground. |
| 106.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, Full and on middle and off, Haris defends off the front foot. |
| 106.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Full and on middle and leg this, Haris gives himself some room and drives it to covers. |
| 106.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Similar ball is pushes back to the bowler. |
| 106.4 : N Lyon to H Sohail, Similar ball and similarly blocked out by the southpaw. |
| 106.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, Very full again on middle and off line, Haris keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 106.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, FOUR! First time today we have seen some aggressive intent by the Pakistani batsmen. Sohail skips down the track, gives himself some room and plays an inside-out drive through covers. Siddle there gives a good chase and pulls the ball back in. It seems that he has just about managed to keep the ball in play. However, the umpire goes up to check and replays show that his fingers were touching the rope as he tried to pull the ball back in. Four given and this is much bette |
| 107.1 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Around off, defended from the crease. |
| 107.2 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Outside off, pushed towards gully. |
| 107.3 : M Marsh to Shafiq, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 107.4 : M Marsh to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 107.5 : M Marsh to Sohail, Shorter in length and shaping into the southpaw, Haris gets inside the line of the ball and tucks it into the square leg region to get a brace. |
| 107.6 : M Marsh to Sohail, A full length ball around off, Sohail leans forward and drives it to the fielder at covers. |
| 108.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Down the track and flicked through mid-wicket. This pair is now starting to show some attacking instincts as he picks up a couple of runs for his flick. |
| 108.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Tossed up ball on off, Shafiq comes forward in defense. |
| 108.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Similar ball and similarly kept out by the right-hander. |
| 108.4 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Better from Lyon as he keeps this a bit shorter than full length, the ball lands and seems to stick in the pitch a bit, Shafiq is early into his whip and gets a leading edge which falls short of Lyon. |
| 108.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 108.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Again an attacking shot but misses. Shafiq goes down looking to sweep this full length ball outside off, the ball turns and bounces to beat his bat as he gets rapped on the pads. The Aussies go up in an appeal but the umpire rejects as the impact is clearly outside off. |
| 109.1 : M Marsh to Sohail, A bit behind a good length around off, Sohail opens his bat face at the last moment to steer it through third man for a single. |
| 109.2 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Strays a bit on his pads as Shafiq works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 109.3 : M Marsh to Sohail, Lands this one on a good length with an inward shape on it, Sohail turns it into the mid-wicket region. |
| 109.4 : M Marsh to Sohail, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 109.5 : M Marsh to Sohail, Shorter of a length again around off, the southpaw has enough patience to block it out of the back foot. |
| 109.6 : M Marsh to Sohail, Similar length and a bit outside off, tapped gently into the cover-point region to end the over. |
| 110.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, A bit flatter this and fullish attacking the stumps, Shafiq keeps it out. |
| 110.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Tossed up on off this, Asad lunges forward and defends. |
| 110.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Very full again around off, Shafiq flicks it to short mid-wicket. |
| 110.4 : N Lyon to Shafiq, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 110.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Flatter, quicker on the middle and leg line, turned towards mid-wicket by Shafiq. |
| 110.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, FOUR! Good shot to end the over. Lyon errs in length as well as line as he lands this short and wide off, Shafiq quickly rocks back and cuts it magnificently through point for a much-needed boundary for Pakistan. |
| Jon Holland is brought back on. 18-1-72-1 so far. |
| 111.1 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Tossed up ball around off from over the wicket, taps it into the point region to get off strike. |
| 111.2 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, FOUR! Misses his line completely as he fires this loopy ball way down the leg side. Shafiq does well to paddle it fine into the leg side and pick another 4 runs. |
| 111.3 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 111.4 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Tossed up around off, defended off the front foot. |
| 111.5 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 111.6 : Jon Holland to A Shafiq, Fuller in length and Shafiq flicks it through mid-wicket to get a single and retain strike. |
| 112.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, SIX! WHACK! Now that's some intent from Shafiq, will surely make Lyon think twice before giving air to the ball. The offie tosses it up around off, Shafiq quickly skips down the track, gets to the pitch and goes thorugh the line of the ball to whack it straight over the bowler's head and across the boundary for a maximum. First six of the day and fourth of the innings. |
| 112.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, The right-hander has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 112.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Fuller around off again, Shafiq pushes this into covers to pick up a run. |
| 112.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, A bit wide of off this, Shafiq tries to cut but misses. |
| 112.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, Defended off the back foot by Haris. |
| 112.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, A bit quicker and straighter attacking the stumps, flicked into the mid-wicket region. |
| 113.1 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Full and around off, worked to the leg side. |
| 113.2 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 113.3 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, FOUR! SMOKED! Shafiq is really pumping up the run rate now. Full on middle, the batsman comes down the track and swings it over mid-wicket for a boundary! |
| 113.4 : Holland to Shafiq, An LBW appeal but to no avail. The arm ball, on middle, Asad misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. No particular thought about the review. Perhaps going down leg. |
| 113.5 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Full on middle, punched towards long on for a single. 50-RUN STAND IS UP. |
| 113.6 : Jon Holland to Sohail, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. They manage to come back for the second. |
| 114.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Tossed up on middle, flicked through mid-wicket to pick up a single. |
| 114.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, A bit shorter this one on the stumps, Haris taps it gently into the covers to pick up a good single. They are rotating the strike really well now. Pakistan marching ahead! |
| 114.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 114.4 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Tossed up ball on off, Shafig prods forward and defends. |
| 114.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Similar delivery but this time Shafiq tries to be a bit cheeky by pushing it softly into covers and takes off for a quick single but is rightly sent back by his partner. |
| 114.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Nicely played this. Shafiq waits for this shorter in length delivery just outside off, opens his bat face at the very last moment and guides it through the third man region to pick up a brace. |
| 115.1 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Flighted ball around off turning into the southpaw, pushes it into the off side and gets a single. |
| 115.2 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Another full pitch delivery on off, driven to mid on to get off strike. |
| 115.3 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Similar ball and a similar drive but this time by the southpaw to add another run. |
| 115.4 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Shafiq guides this quicker one just outside off into the third man region and crosses over. |
| 115.5 : Jon Holland to H Sohail, Sohail leans forward and drives this to mid on to get the 5th single of the over. |
| 115.6 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 116.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, Short and outside off, cut straight to Usman Khawaja at backward point. |
| 116.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Similar ball, this time Sohail delays his shot but finds Usman again. |
| 116.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Full and around off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 116.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, Slower and flighted ball on off, defends off the front foot. |
| 116.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, A bit flatter this around off, Haris blocks it off the back foot this time. |
| 116.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Sohail flicks this fuller ball into the leg side with a wristy shot and takes off for a single. His partner though sends him back as it was a very risky single. They surely do not want to lose a wicket off a run out. |
| 117.1 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Flighted on middle and leg, turned away to fine leg but no chance of a run. |
| 117.2 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, FOUR! Classic shot from Shafiq. Comes down the track to this tossed up ball on off, converts it into a low full toss which allows him to flick it nonchalantly through mid-wicket. His timing and placement is good enough for the ball to cross the fence there. |
| 117.3 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Flighted ball on off, turned into the mid-wicket region. |
| 117.4 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 117.5 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, FOUR! Shot! Excellent batting this by Pakistan, especially Shafiq. He again skips down the track to this tossed up ball on middle and leg, he sees the line on that one, gives himself room while coming down the track and lofts this inside-out drive over covers for a superb second boundary in the over. Looking good here is the right-hander. |
| 117.6 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Tossed up again around off, Jon still giving it some air, Shafiq flicks it to mid-wicket to end a very good over for the Asian team. |
| 118.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, Around off, defended from the crease. |
| 118.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 118.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Full and outside off, pushed towards the off side. |
| 118.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, Very straight, blocked back to the bowler. |
| 118.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 118.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Around off, pushed towards the off side. LUNCH ON DAY 2! |
| SESSION STATS - 29 overs, 74/1. But look into it more deeply. The first hour read 19/1 in 14 overs. So those 55 in the next 15 clearly shows that Pakistan have upped the ante. |
| Hard to say who is on top. A look at the score and one would feel - easily Pakistan. But then, applying Geoffrey Boycott's logic - add 2 wickets to the current score and then check - well, if Australia do that after Lunch, they will stand a realistic chance of keeping Pakistan below 400. |
| Captaincy indeed is tough. Should Tim Paine have taken the second new ball? After seeing what happened yesterday, where the new ball barely moved, the Aussie skipper has been tempted to continue with the old ball as it was reversing. The quicks did bowl well in the first hour but after that, the ball stopped moving. But sadly, for the Aussies, because their seamers had just finished a burst, Paine simply did not have the bowlers to make use of the second new ball and perhaps did not want to wast |
| Coming to Pakistan - a bit baffling, to say the least, when asked about their approach. At times, they play entertaining cricket but when a wicket falls, they suddenly go into a shell, allowing the opposition to dictate terms. Then, they cover up for that slow period. All that is fine as long as they do not lose 2-3 wickets in succession. Take the example of Asad Shafiq - 9 from 54 at one stage and now... he has scored 34 from the next 28 balls. Without much risks. Sohail has been patient, happy |
| In all likelihood, Paine will opt for the second new ball post Lunch. Will that mean more runs for Pakistan? Or will we see some wickets? Either ways, we hope it is not just dot, dot and dot. Join us back at 1240 local (0840 GMT). |
| We are all set to get the post Lunch session underway as the umpires and the Aussies make their way to the middle. Starc to start after the break. The Pakistan pair of Asad Shafiq and Haris Sohail stride out with the former on strike. |
| Second new ball is finally taken by Australia. Will be interesting to see what can the tourists do with it. |
| 119.1 : M Starc to Shafiq, Strays down the leg side, Shafiq tries to flick but misses. |
| 119.2 : M Starc to Shafiq, This time Shafiq flicks the full ball on his pads but straight to the man at square leg. |
| 119.3 : M Starc to Shafiq, Way outside off stump this to entice Asad into a loose shot. |
| 119.4 : M Starc to Shafiq, Shafiq again chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 119.5 : M Starc to Shafiq, Third ball in a row is fired wide of off and Shafiq shoulders arms again. |
| 119.6 : M Starc to Shafiq, Lands this one fuller but on the middle and leg line, Shafiq flicks it through square leg to retain strike. |
| Nathan Lyon to share the second new ball. |
| 120.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Tossed up on middle, Asad turns it into the leg side with the turn to get a run. |
| 120.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Flighted and on middle stump line, Haris comes forward in defense. |
| 120.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 120.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, Flatter and fuller on the off line line, Haris blocks off the front foot. |
| 120.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, Similar delivery and Sohail is happy to keep it out off the front foot again. |
| 120.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, A bit quicker and shorter than full length around off, Haris defends it off the back foot. End of Nathan's first over with the second new ball. |
| 121.1 : M Starc to Shafiq, Starc continues from over the wicket and keeps it on a good length around middle and off, Shafiq keeps it out from within the crease. |
| 121.2 : M Starc to Shafiq, Loose shot but lucky! Starc dishes this length ball wide of off and angling further away from Shafiq, Asad uncharacteristically flays at that one but luckily for him, misses it completely. |
| 121.3 : M Starc to Shafiq, A bit closer to the off stump this but still a bit outside off as Shafiq shoulders arms this time. Seems to have learnt his lesson pretty quickly. |
| 121.4 : M Starc to Shafiq, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 121.5 : M Starc to Shafiq, Fires a fuller length ball way wide of off, Shafiq leaves it alone. Starc seems unhappy with himself as he wanted to keep it nearer to the stumps. |
| 121.6 : M Starc to Shafiq, Bumper time! Bangs it short on middle, angling away. Shafiq ducks under it safely. |
| 122.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, Lyon from around the wicket keeps it full on middle and leg, Haris keeps it out with a forward defense. |
| 122.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Fires this a bit quicker on his pads, Haris is happy to work it into the square leg region and change strike. |
| 122.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Tossed up ball around off, driven crisply to mid off. |
| 122.4 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Flighted and full on off, Shafiq defends it into the of side. |
| 122.5 : N Lyon to A Shafiq, Shafiq taps this into the mid-wicket region but does not find the gap. |
| 122.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Similar ball this but this time Asad finds the gap through mid-wicket to take a run and retain strike. |
| 123.1 : M Starc to Shafiq, Starc finds his mark and lands this on a good length on middle, angling away from Asad. The seemed to have gotten stuck in the pitch a bit but Shafiq does well to block it out. |
| 123.2 : M Starc to Shafiq, A bit shorter of good length around off, tapped softly in the point region. |
| 123.3 : M Starc to Shafiq, Shorter again and a bit wide of off, Shafiq goes for the cut, with hard hands may be and hence does not get the timing right. |
| 123.4 : M Starc to Shafiq, Rib-tickler from Starc but dealt with nicely by the right-hander by ducking under it. |
| 123.5 : M Starc to Shafiq, A bit wide of off and very full, almost yorker length. Shafiq goes for the drive but it hits the bottom of the bat onto the ground and to the man at second slip. |
| 123.6 : M Starc to Shafiq, A good length ball around off, blocked int the off side. Looks for a single but is sent back. |
| 124.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, Very full and flighted ball on off, driven to mid off by the southpaw. |
| 124.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Down the track but no runs. Tossed up ball on off, Haris skips down the track and drives it hard and straight to short cover. |
| 124.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Lovely delivery from Lyon. He fires this one a bit quicker and a bit shorter than full length. Haris Sohail tries to defend from his crease but the ball lands and turns away luckily to beat his bat. Nice bowling Mr.Lyon. |
| 124.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, Again a full ball on off, Haris tries to block but gets a thick outside edge which rolls down towards the third man region and the batsmen run a brace. |
| 124.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 124.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Tossed up around off, defended off the front foot by the southpaw. |
| 125.1 : M Starc to Shafiq, As expected, a bouncer to start a fresh over. Starc bangs it short from over the wicket, Shafiq has enough time on this slow and sluggish pitch to easily duck under it. |
| 125.2 : M Starc to Shafiq, Again a bumper but this is a bit more shorter. Shafiq again sits down for it to go behind. Umpire has signaled one for the over. |
| 125.3 : M Starc to Shafiq, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 125.4 : M Starc to Shafiq, Marginally shorter in length and a bit wide of off, Shafiq punches it to the man at covers. |
| 125.5 : M Starc to Shafiq, Keeps it full this time around off, Shafiq keeps it out from within his crease. |
| 125.6 : M Starc to Shafiq, FOUR! Smacked! 50 comes up for Asad Shafiq, his 21st Test half ton this. What a wonderful shot to get there. Starc changes his angle and comes from around the wicket. Lands it short and wide of off, Asad cuts it beautifully through cover-point to bring up the first boundary of the session. |
| 126.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, The southpaw has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 126.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Sohail survives a stumping appeal. Lyon gives this one a bit more air and keeps it full around off. Haris looking to play at it gets beaten and Paine behind whips the bails off quickly and appeals for a stumping. The leg umpire takes it upstairs but the replays show that he was well in. |
| 126.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Outside off this and the batsman lets the ball go to the keeper. |
| 126.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, Nice shot as Sohail skips down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and drives through covers to get a brace. Third Test 50 up for Haris Sohail. |
| Review taken for LBW. The man in question is Haris Sohail. Looks safe to the naked eye. |
| 126.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, NOT OUT! Lyon tosses this up around middle and leg. Sohail dance down the track again, this time he does not reach to the pitch of the ball and decides to block it. He though misses the ball and gets rapped very low on the front pad. The Aussies go up in an appeal and the umpire gives it not out. After a short discussion the tourists signal the 'T'. Hawk-eye shows that the impact was more than 3 mtrs in front of the stumps. |
| 126.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Mitchell Marsh comes back into the attack. |
| 127.1 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Starts a new spell with a loosener down the leg side, Shafiq tries to flick but the ball brushes his pads and rolls into the fine leg region to allow the batsmen to come back for a second leg bye. |
| 127.2 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Asad has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 127.3 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Short in length around off, Shafiq swivels, rolls his hands over the ball and pulls this through square leg all along the ground for a single. |
| 127.4 : M Marsh to Sohail, A bit shorter than good length around off, Sohail taps it softly into the third man region and crosses over. |
| 127.5 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Good running once again. Marsh keeps it on the shorter side around off, Shafiq taps it into covers and batsmen steal a quick single. |
| 127.6 : M Marsh to Sohail, Errs in line and strays down the leg side. Sohail tries to flick it but misses. |
| 128.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Tossed up ball around off from around the wicket, defended off the front foot. |
| 128.2 : N Lyon to A Shafiq, Slower and a bit shorter of full length. Shafiq again lunges forward looking to defend but the ball pitches and turns into Asad to take his inside edge onto the pad and it flies quickly low to the right of Labuschagne at short leg. Aussies need to take such half chances in such difficult bowling conditions. The batsmen have taken a single. |
| 128.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Slower and fuller, played to the point region. |
| 128.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, Sohail skips down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and slices this drive over cover to pick up a brace. |
| 128.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 128.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Tossed up around off, Haris keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 129.1 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Dishes this one fractionally shorter of a good length just around off stump, Shafiq defends off the back foot with a straight bat. |
| 129.2 : M Marsh to Shafiq, This time he fires in a much fuller delivery around off, Shafiq is up to the challenge as he blocks it easily off the front foot. |
| 129.3 : M Marsh to Shafiq, No ball! Fuller on off, Shafiq defends off the front foot but it is a no ball and a run added to the total. 350 is now up to Pakistan. |
| M Marsh to Shafiq, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 129.4 : M Marsh to Shafiq, On a good length this in the corridor around off, Asad prods forward in a solid defense. |
| 129.5 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Similar length but just a bit wide of off, making the batsman reach to it, Shafiq blocks it off the back foot. |
| 129.6 : M Marsh to Shafiq, A bit shorter in length this around off, tapped to point. |
| 130.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, Tossed up ball in line with the stumps, Sohail keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 130.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Marginally quicker on a similar line, Sohail defends coming forward. |
| 130.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 130.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, FOUR! The beautiful left-hander's elegance on display. Haris quickly dances down the track seeing Lyon give some air on this one, he also gives himself some room to drive it over covers for a brilliant boundary. Sohail showing good intent. |
| 130.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 130.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, A bit flatter in line of the stumps, flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 131.1 : M Marsh to Shafiq, MM fires this down the leg side, Shafiq advances and looks to flick it but misses and Paine behind collects it safely. |
| 131.2 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Just out of reach! Bangs it short around off, Shafiq is quick to swivel and pull it uppishly through mid-wicket. The man inside the ring there dives full length to his right but is still not able to reach to the ball. The man at deep square leg runs across to keep the batsmen for just two runs. |
| 131.3 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Very full delivery on off, driven to mid off by Asad. |
| 131.4 : M Marsh to A Shafiq, This time Shafiq drives this full ball to the right of mid on and takes a quick single. |
| 131.5 : M Marsh to H Sohail, Full length ball around off is driven by Haris to mid off. |
| 131.6 : M Marsh to Sohail, Around the wicket for the left-hander, lands this on a good length around ff, Sohail blocks it off the beck foot. |
| 132.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Lyon from around the wicket keeps it a bit short on middle and leg, Asad gives himself room and punches it to mid off. No run on offer though. |
| 132.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Again a bit shorter in length this, Shafiq this time pulls it through square leg and crosses to the other end. |
| 132.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Tossed up delivery on off, Sohail prods forward in defense. |
| 132.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, A bit shorter this on leg, Sohail stays back and turns it into the square leg region. |
| 132.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, Similar ball this on his pads but Haris this time manages to find the gap int the square leg region and gets a run. |
| 132.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Flighted and slower around middle and off, Shafiq leans across to flick it into the mid-wicket region. |
| Drinks. Yawning passage. Pakistan are firmly in control but with just 30 runs in 14 overs, it might seem that the bowling is great. Pakistan are trying to keep the Aussies in the heat for as long as possible but no reason why there is no rotation of strike. |
| 133.1 : M Marsh to Sohail, Full and around middle, defended from the crease. |
| 133.2 : M Marsh to Sohail, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 133.3 : M Marsh to Shafiq, On a length outside off, nips back in a long way, Shafiq looks to tuck it away but misses and is hit on the pads. One of the rare balls that jagged back in a long way. |
| 133.4 : M Marsh to Shafiq, Down the leg side, worked through the leg side for a single. |
| 133.5 : M Marsh to Sohail, FOUR! CARESSED! Full and outside off, Sohail drives it straight down the ground and beats mid on! |
| 133.6 : M Marsh to Sohail, The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total. |
| 134.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, Full and around middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 134.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. |
| 134.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Landed wide outside off, Shafiq reaches out and pushes it behind point for a run. |
| 134.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, On middle and off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 134.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 134.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Very full and around middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| Bowling change. Peter Siddle into the attack again. 22-11-28-2 so far. |
| 135.1 : P Siddle to Shafiq, On a length outside off, punched towards mid off. |
| 135.2 : P Siddle to Shafiq, A length ball just outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 135.3 : P Siddle to Shafiq, Full and around off, flicked straight to one of two short mid-wickets. |
| 135.4 : P Siddle to Shafiq, Action replay of the previous delivery. |
| 135.5 : P Siddle to Shafiq, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 135.6 : P Siddle to Shafiq, Outside off, played through point for a single. |
| Lyon is into his 50th over... |
| 136.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Full and just outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 136.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 136.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Slight margin of error from Lyon and he is punished. Short and outside off, Shafiq goes back and punches it through the covers. Mitchell Marsh gives it a good chase from mid off and stops the ball from crossing the ropes. Three runs taken. |
| 136.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, Close call! Short and just outside off, Sohail goes back, looking to cut, expecting it to turn but the ball does not spin. Would have been bowled but luckily makes contact with the ball. Punches it towards point. |
| 136.5 : N Lyon to H Sohail, The batsman has driven it through mid off. They pick up a single. |
| 136.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 137.1 : P Siddle to Shafiq, On middle and leg, a touch too straight, worked through square leg for a single. |
| 137.2 : P Siddle to Sohail, FOUR! CLASSY! Full and outside off, Sohail leans and drives it wide of mid off for a boundary! |
| 137.3 : P Siddle to Sohail, A touch wide outside off, left alone. |
| 137.4 : P Siddle to Sohail, Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 137.5 : P Siddle to Shafiq, Full around off, tailing in, pushed towards mid on. |
| 137.6 : P Siddle to Shafiq, Down the leg side, helped behind square leg for a run. |
| Jon Holland is back on. 22-1-98-1 so far. |
| 138.1 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Full and outside off, hint of away turn, Shafiq comes forward and dead-bats it. |
| 138.2 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Very full, almost a yorker outside off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 138.3 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Full again, outside off, pushed towards the off side. |
| 138.4 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Short and outside off, Asad goes back and punches it towards point. |
| 138.5 : Jon Holland to Sohail, A touch short again, Sohail gets across and works it through mid-wicket. He sets off for the single but Shafiq is ball-watching. Luckily for Pakistan, the ball evades the fielder diving at short mid-wicket and the single is completed. |
| 138.6 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it. |
| 139.1 : P Siddle to Sohail, Outside off, placed through point for a couple. |
| 139.2 : P Siddle to Sohail, Short and outside off, punched through the covers where it is stopped well with a slide. |
| 139.3 : P Siddle to Sohail, Outside off, angling away, left alone. |
| 139.4 : P Siddle to Sohail, FOUR! CLASSY! It is a delight to watch this bloke bat. Overpitched wide outside off, Sohail reaches out and drives it through the covers. No stopping that. |
| 139.5 : P Siddle to Sohail, Outside off, angling away, left alone. |
| 139.6 : P Siddle to Sohail, Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 140.1 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 140.2 : Jon Holland to A Shafiq, Driven through the covers by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 140.3 : Jon Holland to Sohail, On middle and leg, worked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 140.4 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Full and outside off, Sohail comes down the track and thumps it over the bowler towards long off. A run taken. |
| 140.5 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 140.6 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Now Shafiq dances out but blocks it back to the bowler. |
| 141.1 : P Siddle to Sohail, Full and just outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 141.2 : P Siddle to H Sohail, Half volley outside off, driven through the covers for a brace. Good sliding stop by the fielder in the deep. |
| 141.3 : P Siddle to Sohail, On middle, perfect flick to bisect the two short mid-wicket fielders. But there is protection in the deep too. A couple of runs taken. |
| 141.4 : P Siddle to Sohail, What a shot again. Full and outside off, Haris just pushes this through the covers for a run. |
| 141.5 : P Siddle to Shafiq, On a length outside off, Shafiq comes forward and blocks it. |
| 141.6 : P Siddle to Shafiq, Full and just outside off, flicked straight to one short mid-wicket fielder with his neighbour patting him on the back while collecting the ball. |
| 142.1 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Massive LBW shout. But to no avail. A touch short outside off, spinning in a long way, Sohail gets across to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Perhaps going down leg. |
| 142.2 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 142.3 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 142.4 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, FOUR! That is a beautiful shot. Just a fraction too short from Holland, a bit wide as well outside off, Shafiq goes back and then opens the face of his bat beautifully to guide it past Peter Siddle at short third man. 400 IS UP FOR PAKISTAN! |
| 142.5 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, FOUR! And now over mid-wicket. Finally, Pakistan are accelerating. Tossed up, on middle, Shafiq puts on his dancing shoes and whips it over mid-wicket for boundaries in succession! |
| 142.6 : Holland to Shafiq, Ooohh... plays too close to the ball but gets hit on the pads. A massive LBW appeal shoots up but an inside edge is spotted by the umpire. |
| Marnus Labuschagne is back on. 2-0-9-0 so far. |
| 143.1 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 143.2 : M Labuschagne to A Shafiq, Full and outside off, Shafiq pushes it to the off side. |
| 143.3 : M Labuschagne to Shafiq, FOUR! That is a half tracker and Shafiq drags it over mid-wicket for a boundary! 150-RUN STAND IS UP AS WELL. |
| 143.4 : M Labuschagne to A Shafiq, OUT! MAIDEN TEST WICKET FOR LABUSCHAGNE! What a moment for the youngster. He has been picked for his batting, but he has given Australia something to smile in this session. The leggie tosses this up outside off, on a fuller length. Shafiq lunges to defend but the ball turns ever so slightly to take the outside edge. Paine behind collects it well and the Aussies appeal, getting the umpire to raise his finger. The entire team is ruffling his head. Well played, Sha |
| Babar Azam comes in at number 7, replacing Shafiq. It will be interesting to see his approach. |
| 143.5 : M Labuschagne to Azam, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 143.6 : M Labuschagne to Azam, Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 144.1 : Jon Holland to Azam, Full and just outside off, well defended. |
| 144.2 : Jon Holland to Azam, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 144.3 : Jon Holland to Azam, Tossed up outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 144.4 : Jon Holland to Sohail, A tad short, helped through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 144.5 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Full and on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 144.6 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Down the leg side, Haris misses his flick and is hit on the pads. An LBW appeal ensues but that is going down the leg side. |
| 145.1 : M Labuschagne to Azam, There seems to be spring in his stride now, Labuschagne. He wants his second wicket, doesn't he? Full and outside off, Azam reaches out and drives it through the covers for a single. |
| 145.2 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Uppish, but wide! Full and around off, Sohail pushes it wide of the bowler towards long on for a run. |
| 145.3 : M Labuschagne to Azam, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 145.4 : M Labuschagne to Azam, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 145.5 : M Labuschagne to Azam, Outside off, left alone. |
| 145.6 : M Labuschagne to Azam, Huge LBW appeal but turned down. The googly, around middle, Azam gets across and looks to tuck but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball goes towards fine leg and the batsmen take three runs. The bowler is the only one appealing but perhaps that was going down leg. TEA ON DAY 2! |
| 29 overs, 88 runs scored and only Asad Shafiq dismissed. A much better second half of the session in terms of viewing. Pakistan finally think that they have enough and have started to push on. |
| Sohail and Shafiq started solidly after Lunch but scored just 30 runs in 14 overs. However, after Drinks, the latter started to take the attack to the opposition. He was unlucky to miss out on his ton but Sohail at the other end looks calm and composed. He has battled hard, played old-school cricket and tired the Aussie bowlers in this heat. |
| A word about the Aussie bowlers. Everyone has toiled and though they have given it their all, the physio will have serious work this evening to check if they are fit. 30 overs for Starc, 26 for Siddle and Holland each while Lyon has completed his half century. They might be looking for some wickets but also hoping that the declaration comes soon. |
| The big question - When should/will Pakistan declare? 450? 500? Or make Australia toil for another hour and give them the last 45 minutes to bat? Perhaps that last option. Stay tuned for the final session. 34 overs left in the day. |
| ... DAY 2, FINAL SESSION ... |
| They are back again. We are back again. Let's play again. Here's Holland again. |
| 146.1 : Jon Holland to Azam, Short and outside off, cut through point for a single. |
| 146.2 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 146.3 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Full on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| Is that a run out? Babar Azam is the man in question... |
| 146.4 : Jon Holland to Sohail, OUT! Azam is short! Miscommunication and then trouble. Full on middle, Sohail comes down the track and looks to flick but the ball spins in and goes off the inner half. It does not carry to short mid-wicket but then Haris takes a few steps forward and stops. Babar Azam though, always wanted the single and keeps running. Now, Haris responds. Logically, Sohail should be the man in trouble but Babar is not that quick between the wickets. Marnus Labuschagne could have h |
| Sarfraz Ahmed walks in at number 8, replacing Azam. |
| 146.5 : Jon Holland to Ahmed, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single. |
| 146.6 : Jon Holland to Sohail, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 147.1 : M Labuschagne to Ahmed, Short and outside off, played through point for a single. |
| 147.2 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 147.3 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 147.4 : M Labuschagne to Ahmed, Oohhh... a straighter one, outside off, Sarfraz just plays inside the line and is beaten. |
| 147.5 : M Labuschagne to Ahmed, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single. |
| 147.6 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off. |
| 148.1 : Jon Holland to Ahmed, Full and outside off, driven towards cover for a single. |
| 148.2 : Jon Holland to Sohail, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 148.3 : Jon Holland to Sohail, On middle, flicked to the leg side again. |
| 148.4 : Jon Holland to Sohail, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 148.5 : Jon Holland to S Ahmed, Tossed up outside off, pushed towards mid off for a single. |
| 148.6 : Jon Holland to Sohail, On middle and leg, worked to the leg side for a run. |
| 149.1 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, On middle and leg, flicked to the leg side. |
| 149.2 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 149.3 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, On middle and leg, worked to the leg side. |
| 149.4 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 149.5 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Full and outside off, well blocked out. |
| 149.6 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 150.1 : Jon Holland to Sohail, SIX! Moves to 98! Beautiful batting. Full and outside off, Sohail jumps out of the track and sends it sailing over long off! |
| 150.2 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Full and straight, watchfully pushed back to the bowler. |
| 150.3 : Jon Holland to Sohail, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 150.4 : Jon Holland to Sohail, HAIL HARIS SOHAIL! This time he does not fail. A maiden Test ton for him. Full and outside off, Sohail goes back and gently opens the face of his bat and guides it behind point. Has enough on it to enable him to come back for the second. Takes his helmet off, raises his arms and then does the sajda. |
| 150.5 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 150.6 : Jon Holland to Sohail, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 151.1 : M Labuschagne to Ahmed, Full and outside off, Sarfraz gets down and gently paddles it through fine leg for a single. |
| 151.2 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single. |
| 151.3 : M Labuschagne to Ahmed, Full and outside off, Sarfraz drives this through the covers for a couple. |
| Stumping appeal! Is Sarfraz behind the crease? Referred upstairs... |
| 151.4 : M Labuschagne to Ahmed, SAFE AS A HOUSE. The lovely leg spinner outside off, Sarfraz lunges to defend but the ball spins away and Pain whips off the bails. He appeals and the square leg umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show that the Pakistan skipper did not lift his foot at all. |
| 151.5 : M Labuschagne to S Ahmed, EDGED, DROPPED! That should have been taken. Full and outside off, Sarfraz is lured into the drive but the ball spins away and takes the outside edge. It goes straight to Aaron Finch at first slip but Tim Paine going to his right puts him off, probably. |
| 151.6 : M Labuschagne to Ahmed, The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. They manage to come back for the second. |
| Mitchell Starc has been brought back on. 30-11-73-0 so far. |
| Mitchell Starc has been brought back on. 30-11-73-0 so far. |
| 152.1 : M Starc to Sohail, Full and down the leg side, flick shot missed. Paine dives to his right to collect. |
| 152.2 : M Starc to Sohail, FOUR BYES! This time Paine is not able to collect. Starc looks for the swing but bowls it way down the leg side. Haris looks to flick again but misses while Paine's dive is nowhere close to even getting a glove on the ball. |
| 152.3 : M Starc to Sohail, FOUR! CRISP! This is nowhere close to a fielder either! What a shot from Sohail. Starc bowls it full, going for the inswing but ends up getting it too straight. The centurion drives it straight back to where it came from, to the long on fence. |
| 152.4 : M Starc to Sohail, Outside off, steered behind point for a couple to bring up the 450 FOR PAKISTAN. Another 50 runs perhaps for the declaration? |
| 152.5 : M Starc to H Sohail, Excellent inswinging yorker, Haris seems to be gone for all money but at the last moment, he manages to get his bat down to dig it out. |
| 152.6 : M Starc to Sohail, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 153.1 : M Labuschagne to Ahmed, Full and outside off, pushed to the off side for a single. |
| 153.2 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Tossed up outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 153.3 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, On middle and off, worked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 153.4 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Dropped short, heaved over mid-wicket for a single. |
| 153.5 : M Labuschagne to Ahmed, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 153.6 : M Labuschagne to Ahmed, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 154.1 : M Starc to Sohail, On middle and leg, tailing in slightly, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 154.2 : M Starc to Ahmed, Around off, Sarfraz just pushes it to the cover region and scampers through. The run rate has been on the up since Tea. 38 runs have come in just 8.2 overs. |
| 154.3 : M Starc to Sohail, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a run. |
| 154.4 : M Starc to Ahmed, Comes around the wicket, tries tailing it into the right-hander but gets it too straight. Sarfraz clips it towards mid-wicket. |
| 154.5 : M Starc to Ahmed, Just outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 154.6 : M Starc to Ahmed, Full and just outside off, Ahmed presses forward and pushes the ball towards cover. This might be the last spell for Starc in this innings and depending on how Australia bat, this match. |
| Another opportunity for Nathan Lyon. 50-12-108-1 so far. |
| 155.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, Full and outside off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 155.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 155.3 : N Lyon to H Sohail, OUT! Edged and taken! Lyon finally gets his second wicket after a long toil. And it is that of the centurion. Another southpaw dismissed by him and in an identical fashion as that of Imam. The quicker one outside off, Sohail backed away looking to punch but was beaten by the pace on that one. Got a faint tickle and Tim Paine took another decent catch. The Aussies appeal but honest Sohail is not even waiting for the umpire to raise his finger. Is the declaration coming? |
| Debutant Bilal Asif walks in at number 9, replacing Sohail. |
| 155.4 : N Lyon to Asif, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 155.5 : N Lyon to Asif, FOUR! No messing around. Just go out there and smash. Full and outside off, Asif swings this through the line and clears mid on. |
| 155.6 : N Lyon to Asif, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. A successful over for Lyon. |
| 156.1 : M Starc to Ahmed, Outside off, dabbed towards third man where Usman Khawaja dives to his left at gully and makes a fine stop. |
| 156.2 : M Starc to S Ahmed, The ball has found the edge of the bat. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 156.3 : M Starc to Asif, Full toss outside off, Asif probably does not pick it up at all. Brings the bat down very late and is beaten. |
| 156.4 : M Starc to Asif, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 156.5 : M Starc to Asif, FOUR! Bad ball, down the leg side, tickled down to the fine leg fence. |
| 156.6 : M Starc to Asif, Full and outside off, pretty wide, Asif reaches out to drive but misses. |
| 157.1 : N Lyon to Ahmed, Full and outside off, driven through mid on for a single. |
| 157.2 : N Lyon to Asif, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 157.3 : N Lyon to Asif, Very full, a bit of flight, outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 157.4 : N Lyon to Asif, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 157.5 : N Lyon to Asif, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 157.6 : N Lyon to Ahmed, Full on middle, watchfully defended. |
| 158.1 : M Starc to Asif, Full and outside off, Asif plays inside the line and is beaten. |
| 158.2 : M Starc to Asif, Almost a nick. Starc is that much close to getting a wicket. Full and outside off, Bilal reaches out to drive but misses. |
| 158.3 : M Starc to Asif, Another play and a miss outside off. Starc is getting more and more frustrated. He is making a comeback, has bowled a lot of overs but has no wickets to show for his toil. |
| 158.4 : M Starc to Asif, Full and wide outside off, BA plays it uppishly through point for a single. |
| 158.5 : M Starc to Ahmed, Around off and outside, watchfully defended. |
| 158.6 : M Starc to Ahmed, Outside off, left alone. |
| Peter Siddle time. 26-11-47-2 so far. |
| 159.1 : P Siddle to Asif, Around off, tapped to the off side for a single. |
| 159.2 : P Siddle to Ahmed, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 159.3 : P Siddle to Ahmed, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 159.4 : P Siddle to Ahmed, Pushes this through the covers for a single. |
| 159.5 : P Siddle to Asif, A length ball around off, Asif walks into the shot and blocks. |
| 159.6 : P Siddle to Asif, Around off, defended to the leg side. |
| Direct hit from Finch! Is Sarfraz gone? Referred upstairs. |
| 160.1 : M Starc to Ahmed, OUT! The bat is on the line and Pakistan lose their 8th. A length ball outside off, Sarfraz pushes it through the covers. Aaron Finch dives full length gets to his left but cannot make a clean stop. The ball rolls away from him and he gets up to pick it up and return it. The batsmen then go for the single while Finch concentrates at the bowler's end. He takes aim and then fires a throw at the non-striker's end. Sarfraz reaches out to get in and the umpire refers it upsta |
| 0.0 : DRINKS BREAK. No declaration yet. Wahab Riaz comes out to bat. |
| 160.2 : M Starc to Asif, Full and outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| 160.3 : M Starc to B Asif, Full on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 160.4 : M Starc to B Asif, Edged away. More frustration for Starc. He lands it on a length outside off, gets it to move away, induces a poke and then the outside edge. But the ball eludes the fielders at slips and goes towards third man. Just a single. |
| 160.5 : M Starc to Riaz, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 160.6 : M Starc to Riaz, That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh pad. The batsmen have run through for a single. The umpire signals a leg bye. |
| 161.1 : P Siddle to Riaz, Siddle keeps it marginally shorter of a good length in line of the stumps, Wahab comes forward and swats it with a horizontal bat into the square leg region to get off strike. |
| 161.2 : P Siddle to Asif, OUT! You miss I hit! Siddle's third wicket and he has rattled the sticks this time. He lands this on a good length attacking the stumps. Bilal tries to whack it across the line. He misses the ball as it takes the inside edge and crashes into the middle and leg poles. Pakistan, looking for some quick runs, are very close to being bowled out. |
| Yasir Shah is the last man in. Declaration or bowled out? |
| 161.3 : P Siddle to Shah, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Caught down the leg side? Australia have appealed for the catch of Yasir but umpire Kettleborough wants to check whether the ball has carried. He refers it upstairs after a chat with his partner. The soft signal is NOT OUT. |
| 161.4 : P Siddle to Shah, NOT OUT. Forget the edge, the ball has not carried in the first place. Full and down the leg side, Yasir looks to flick but misses. There is a tickle and the Aussies appeal as soon as Paine collects. Kettleborough initially shakes his head but then walks across to his partner for a chat. Refers it upstairs with the soft signal as not out. Now, the question here is - Had the ball carried, would that have been out? Because the umpire just asked whether the ball carried. Do |
| 161.5 : P Siddle to Shah, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 161.6 : P Siddle to Shah, Full on middle, pretty straight, driven back to the bowler. |
| 162.1 : M Starc to Riaz, The tall left-arm pacer starts with a yorker length delivery from around the wicket and keeps it a bit outside off, Wahab tries to play at it but misses as the ball goes under his bat. |
| 162.2 : M Starc to Riaz, Similar ball but the only difference is that this nut was much closer to the off pole, almost kissing it. There are some Oohs and Aahs out in the middle but Pakistan continue to bat along. |
| 162.3 : M Starc to Riaz, Three in three as Wahab misses the yorker outside off again. |
| 162.4 : M Starc to Riaz, This time he fires it in line with the stumps but it is a low full toss. Wahab looks to drive but gets an outside edge towards third man and the man there does well to cut it off and keep the batsmen to just a single. |
| 162.5 : M Starc to Shah, Dishes this a bit shorter than good length from over the wicket angling targeting the body of the batsman, Yasir gets inside the line of the ball and tries to flick it but misses. |
| 162.6 : M Starc to Shah, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 163.1 : P Siddle to Riaz, FOUR! Smack! Wow, that's good from a no. 9. Siddle fires this on full around middle and off angling into the batsman, Wahab flicks it nonchalantly over the mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 163.2 : P Siddle to W Riaz, Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 163.3 : P Siddle to Shah, On a length in line with the stumps, Shah works it down the leg side. |
| 163.4 : P Siddle to Shah, Yasir showing that's he too can bat and is making a strong point to his skipper to sed him a bit higher up the order. Siddle fires in a yorker length ball shaping into the batsman, Yasir flicks it brilliantly all through the turf into the mid-wicket region and picks up three more. |
| 163.5 : P Siddle to Riaz, A bit shorter on a good length, Riaz tries to whack it into the leg side but gets a thick bottom edge to the keeper behind, on the bounce. |
| 163.6 : P Siddle to Riaz, Very full ball on off, driven straight back. No run on offer. |
| 164.1 : M Starc to Shah, Starc tries to hit the stumps but errs in line and ends up straying this full ball down the leg side. Waste of energy, says Ramiz Raja on air. |
| Has Starc got a wicket at last? The Aussies reckon that Yasir Shah has been caught behind. But has the bat hit the ground or has the ball hit the bat? Review taken. |
| 164.2 : Starc to Shah, Out! Starc again dishes out a full length ball just outside off, Yasir goes for the drive but misses the ball. Now, there is a sound as the ball is passing the bat. The Aussies appeal for a caught behind but is given not out by the umpire. The tourists soon take a review and Snicko shows that there is indeed a sound as the ball is passing the bat. The bat is also hitting the ground at the same time though which is creating the confusion. The umpire upstairs, however, revers |
| Finally the innings ends. A massive score posted by Pakistan, which began right from the start. They say - Well begun is half done. The openers set it up with a double century stand and then, even though there was a bit of a wobble, the middle order stepped up. |
| Mohammad Hafeez was the talk of Day 1, as his century on return hogged the headlines. He outlined how to play on this track, mixing caution and aggression. However, once he was dismissed, Australia managed to curtail the scoring, till they came across Asad Shafiq. He and Sohail then frustrated the visitors with another century stand and that took the game away from the Aussies. |
| A total toil for the bowlers from Down Under. Starc was probably touted to be the most threatening bowler but he did not get any swing or luck. He got only one wicket, that too, right at the end, while Peter Siddle patiently bowled like a workhorse, picking up 3 wickets. Unfortunately for Australia, the spinners could not come into play much, with Holland literally struggling while Nathan Lyon, though tight, could not be that impactful. |
| Around three quarters of an hour left for the close. That means around 10 overs. Can the Aussie openers see those off? On the other hand, how many wickets can Pakistan pick up with the new ball? Stay tuned for Australia's reply. |
| 0.1 : M Abbas to U Khawaja, Abbas dishes this full and a bit wide of off, Khawaja caresses this through covers to get himself and his team off the mark with a brace. |
| 0.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Wide of off, Usman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 0.3 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Dishes this outside off again and Khawaja lets it be. Don't think he will flirt with these right now. |
| 0.4 : M Abbas to Khawaja, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 0.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Again outside off, again a leave. |
| 0.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Abbas needs to make the batsman play in this short passage of play remaining. He again keeps this wide of off and Usman points his bat skywards. |
| Wahab Riaz to share the new ball. |
| 1.1 : W Riaz to Finch, A bit shorter of a good length angling into the batsman's body, Finch flicks it to square leg. |
| 1.2 : W Riaz to Finch, Similar ball, similar shot and fielded by the same fielder at square leg. |
| 1.3 : W Riaz to Finch, Off the mark in Test cricket is Aaron Finch. A similar ball again on his hips but this time he finds the gap through square leg and gets a brace to get his innings underway. |
| 1.4 : W Riaz to Finch, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 1.5 : W Riaz to Finch, Wide of off, Finch shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 1.6 : W Riaz to Finch, Keeps the last ball of the over fractionally shorter of a good length just outside off, seeing the length Aaron punches it but it goes straight to covers. |
| 2.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, A good length ball around off is blocked out solidly by Usman. |
| 2.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, A bit shorter in length this outside off, Khawaja opens the bat face and with the angle glides this through third man to get three runs. |
| 2.3 : M Abbas to Finch, Fuller and straighter on the stumps, Finch drives straight down the ground but it is cut off by the fielder at mid off. |
| 2.4 : M Abbas to Finch, Similar ball but this time the attacking right-hander drives it dead straight with better timing and picks up a brace. |
| 2.5 : M Abbas to Finch, Abbas finds his line and length and lands this around off, Aaron gives it the deserving respect by defending it off the front foot. |
| 2.6 : M Abbas to Finch, A similar ball around off, Finch comes forward in a solid defense. |
| 3.1 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Dishes this on a good length just around off. Good start by both the bowlers as they are making the batsmen play as much as possible. Khawaja defends off the front foot. |
| 3.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Riaz bangs this one a bit shorter in length angling into Usman, the southpaw swivels well and pulls it through deep square leg to pick up another brace. |
| 3.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, A bit shorter in length on the stumps, kept out by Usman off the back foot. |
| 3.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja,Good length ball around off is pushed into the off side. |
| 3.5 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Brilliant fielding effort. Wahab dishes this fast delivery on a good length around off, Usman opens the bat-face looking to run it down through the third man region. Imam at gully dives to his right and makes a superb save. He has a shy at the striker's end and hits the stumps, but Finch is well in. |
| 3.6 : W Riaz to Finch, A bit shorter in length angling into Finch, the opener whips it off his hips through deep square leg and picks a run to retain strike. |
| 4.1 : M Abbas to Finch, Nice and aggressive bowling this by the Pakistan opening pacers. Abbas keeps this on a length attacking the stumps, Finch pushes it soft straight down the ground. |
| 4.2 : M Abbas to Finch, Punched off the back foot by Pinch into the cover region. |
| 4.3 : M Abbas to Finch, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 4.4 : M Abbas to Finch, A mirror image of the first delivery of the over and a duplicate shot played by Aaron. |
| 4.5 : M Abbas to Finch, This will happen once in a while if you are attacking the stumps, Abbas strays on the batsman's pads and Finch is good enough a batsman to flick it through square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 4.6 : M Abbas to Finch, A bit short around off, Finch has punched that ball through the offside. |
| Yasir Shah comes into the attack. It will be interesting to see how much purchase he is able to get off this surface. |
| 5.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, A loosener from Yasir as he lands this a tough short outside off, Khawaja rocks back and punches this thorugh covers to get three runs. |
| 5.2 : Y Shah to Finch, Yasir makes an impact as in his very first over. Massive appeal but given not out. Pakistan don't go for the review, seems as if it is missing the leg pole. Yasir keeps it a bit shorter of full length around middle, Finch expects the ball to turn away and hence goes back looking to punch through the off side. However, the ball lands and skids through rapped Aaron on his pads. The Pakistan players go up in unison but the umpire negates them. Replay shows that the ball was cl |
| 5.3 : Y Shah to Finch, A similar delivery this but this tie Aaron gets some bat on it and deflects it towards the square leg region to get off strike. He will be happy to watch from the other end, I am sure. |
| 5.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 5.5 : Y Shah to U Khawaja, Slower and full in length as Yasir gives this a bit more air, Khawaja leans forward and drives to mid off. |
| 5.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Flighted again but a bit shorter than full length, Usman keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 6.1 : M Abbas to Finch, A length ball, pretty straight, defended back to the bowler. |
| 6.2 : M Abbas to A Finch, Full again, straight once more, driven towards silly mid on. |
| 6.3 : M Abbas to Finch, Outside off, pushed towards the off side. |
| 6.4 : M Abbas to Finch, Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 6.5 : M Abbas to Finch, Probably a slower ball, slips it down the leg side, Finch lets it go through to the keeper. The ball barely carries. |
| 6.6 : M Abbas to Finch, Outside off, played towards point. |
| 7.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up on off, tapped into the off side. |
| 7.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, FOUR! Brave batting by Usman! Looking to get Yasir off his line and length.Flighted and full around off, Khawaja skips down the track and whacks it over mid on for a confident boundary. |
| 7.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, A bit fuller on off, Khawaja tries to block but gets rapped on the pads. The impact is way outside off. |
| 7.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 7.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Usman dances down the track to this flighted ball and does well to block the ball. |
| 7.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Beaten! Yasir lands this full and outside off, Khawaja comes forward to defend expecting the ball to turn in but is surprised to see the ball skid off the surface and beat his outside edge. He too survives the Yasir threat. |
| Here comes the Professor. Mohammad Hafeez into the attack. |
| 8.1 : M Hafeez to Finch, Full and outside off, that is pushed towards cover. |
| 8.2 : M Hafeez to Finch, On middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 8.3 : M Hafeez to Finch, Around off, pushed towards mid on again. |
| 8.4 : M Hafeez to Finch, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 8.5 : M Hafeez to Finch, Big appeal for LBW but turned down. The captain and the bowler have a chat in the middle to decide whether to go for the review or not and in the end they decide against it. A very full ball on middle and leg, Finch goes down looking to sweep but misses to get rapped on the pads. The replays show the ball was missing the leg pole. |
| 8.6 : M Hafeez to Finch, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 9.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Starts the fresh over with a long hop, it is short outside off turning into Usman, the southpaw pulls it through square leg and gets off strike. |
| 9.2 : Y Shah to Finch, Very full this on and around off, defended by Finch off the front foot. |
| 9.3 : Y Shah to Finch, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 9.4 : Y Shah to Finch, Brave or Silly? the result shall determine it. Finch goes down the track looking to smash this over the long off fence but mistimes it completely. The fielder at mid off is seen running back to try and catch it but luckily for Aaron it evades him and he again survives the Yasir threat. Gets a brace for that risky shot. |
| 9.5 : Y Shah to Finch, A slower ball on middle and leg is turned into the square leg region for a single and Finch is off strike. |
| 9.6 : Y Shah to U Khawaja, Flighted and full on off, Khawaja drives it politely to mid off. |
| 10.1 : M Hafeez to A Finch, Full on middle, pushed towards long on for a single. |
| 10.2 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, A tad short, worked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 10.3 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Full and straight, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 10.4 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Very full, Khawaja looks to drive but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads, which rolls back to the bowler. |
| 10.5 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, On middle, worked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 10.6 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Around off, blocked from the crease. |
| 11.1 : Y Shah to Finch, Yasir Shah with 6 balls with him to make an impact today. Starts with a tossed up ball attacking the stumps. Finch keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 11.2 : Y Shah to Finch, A bit shorter of full length around off, turning away from the right-hander. Finch goes back and punches it to covers and takes off for a risky single. The man there runs to his left, picks up the ball and fires it to Sarfraz but by then Usman is in his crease. Seems like Finch was desperate to get off strike to avoid the Yasir threat. |
| 11.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 11.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Usman skips down the track but defends as he is not to the pitch of it. |
| 11.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up around off, Khawaja defends with a straight bat. |
| 11.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Flighted ball around off, Usman drives this to the right of mid on to get a run. He will retain strike for the last over of the day. Australia have survived the threat of the leggie, for today, as Yasir has bowled his last ball of the day. The tourists though will have to play a lot better tomorrow if they want to succeed against the wily spinner. |
| Debutant Bilal Asif to bowl the last over of the day. |
| 12.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 12.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Short and outside off, stays low a touch, Khawaja looks to cut but gets a bottom edge to the off side. |
| 12.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, Landed outside off, spinning a long way, Usman lets it go. |
| 12.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 12.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Full and around off, UK lunges and blocks. |
| 12.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Around middle and leg, Khawaja goes back and defends. STUMPS ON DAY 2, AUSTRALIA TRAIL BY 452! |
| 'Australia survive!' comments Bazid Khan on air. It is indeed a bit of an achievement for the tourists. However, Pakistan will not be too unhappy looking at the way their spinners bowled. |
| Something to take for Australia in this hot day of cricket. They were able to bowl out Pakistan, but literally struggled with the ball and the heat. However, with the bat, apart from a couple of nervy moments, they have managed to keep all 10 wickets intact for Tuesday. |
| Finch has looked troubled against the moving and the spinning ball. Abbas could not hit the right length while the Victorian was all at sea against the spinners. Khawaja, on the other hand, has played the role of a senior player pretty well. Has looked unperturbed and oozed confidence. |
| Pakistan would have hoped that they get a wicket or two before the close of play but they will be pretty much happy with the purchase their spinners got. Yasir almost got Finch out a couple of times in the 4 overs that he bowled. With the ball turning square, it will be a big test of the batsmen's patience, come Day 3. |
| Earlier in the day, Asad Shafiq and Haris Sohail kept Australia at bay, albeit there was hardly any scoring for quite a long period of time. Australia will be looking to emulate that. They need another 253 to avoid the follow-on but they need to take it step by step, hour by hour. They have largely struggled to bat for even a day of late, in testing conditions and the 'home' side will surely test their memory. Join us at 1000 local (0600 GMT) for all the action from Day 3. ADIOS! TAKE CARE! |
| ... DAY 3, FIRST SESSION ... |
| Warm welcome, folks. A couple of days into this Test match and Pakistan find themselves in front, all thanks to a strong batting performance. They have posted a 450-plus first innings total and with the pitch expected to take spin, they hold the aces. In fact, the last hour of play yesterday saw the Aussie openers tackle the Pakistan pace attack with considerable ease. However, Yasir Shah definitely gave them some nervous moments, especially Aaron Finch, and the wily leggie will be their biggest |
| Brendon Julian is seen interviewing Mitchell Marsh who says it was nice to get their feet up and relax after spending such a long time in the field. Adds that they did well yesterday to bowl out Pakistan and then the start by their openers was also good. Reckons that the track will stay flat and they will be looking to grind it out today without losing many wickets. States that it is all about trying to settle your nerves and not woorrying about the runs but the most vital thing is staying out t |
| Time to get underway! Mohammad Abbas to start proceedings. Aaron Finch on strike. A slip in place. Here we go... |
| 13.1 : M Abbas to Finch, A good confident beginning. Slightly short in length around off, Finch goes back and punches it through covers. The ball stops in the deep and they take three runs. |
| 13.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Abbas switches to 'round the wicket for the left-hander. Angles in a length ball around off, Khawaja defends it watchfully. All eyes will be on him today. How he fares against spin is the real question? |
| 13.3 : M Abbas to Khawaja, In the channel outside off, Khawaja is not too bothered as he leaves it alone. |
| 13.4 : M Abbas to Khawaja, This one is angled in around off, Khawaja has to play at it and does so from the back foot. Keeps it out safely on the off side. |
| 13.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Lands it on a length just outside off, Khawaja once again commits himself into the shot from the back foot and pushes it out with an angled bat to cover-point. |
| 13.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Hurls a length delivery in the channel outside off, going straight on, Khawaja shoulders arms to end the first over of the day. |
| Pakistan wasting no time as they straightaway introduce spin from the other end. Yasir Shah to start to roll his arm. |
| 14.1 : Y Shah to Finch, Starts with a slower ans shorter ball on off, Aaron punches into the covers. |
| 14.2 : Y Shah to Finch, Tossed up and full, Finch prods forward in defense. |
| 14.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Being watchful here is Aaron as he comes forward and blocks this fuller delivery around off. |
| 14.4 : Y Shah to Finch, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 14.5 : Y Shah to Finch, A bit quicker and straighter this, Finch works it into the square leg region. |
| 14.6 : Y Shah to A Finch, Full length flighted ball around off is driven to covers to end the maiden over. |
| 15.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Abbas from around the wicket lands it on a good length around off, Khawaja defends from within the crease. |
| 15.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Similar ball around off and similarly kept out off the back foot. |
| 15.3 : M Abbas to Khawaja, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 15.4 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Straighter ball attacking the stumps is turned away towards mid-wicket. Looks like the pair is settling themselves down and studying how the pitch is behaving before starting to play their shots. |
| 15.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Length ball around off is blocked out off the back foot. |
| 15.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Dishes this a bit fuller, the southpaw strokes it to mid on to end the second maiden in a row. |
| 16.1 : Y Shah to Finch, Good bowl, almost got him. Yasir tosses this up and keeps it in line with the stumps, Finch lunges forward and tries to block this with a straight bat in front of his pads, the ball though skids through to take his inside edge and roll towards square leg to allow the batsmen to take a single. |
| 16.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Slower and fuller on off, Khawaja flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 16.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Defended off the back foot by the southpaw. |
| 16.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, 4 Byes! Stumping missed! Beautiful bowling by the leggie as he has complete foxed the southpaw, Khawaja, looking to unsettle Yasir, skips down the track. Shah has tossed it up around off, the southpaw tries flicking it with the turn but the nut spins more than Usman expected and misses his bat, pads and goes behind. Paine behind also misses it, which the Aussie did not want ans the ball goes past the fine leg boundary for 4 byes. Some better keeping from the skipper coul |
| 16.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Flighted ball on off, Usman prods forward and defends it. |
| 16.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Similar delivery and the southpaw shows good patience by staying in his crease and blocking it out. |
| 17.1 : M Abbas to Finch, FOUR! Abbas runs in with a silly mid on in place. He though serves it too straight, around middle and leg and Finch tickles it fine off his pads to the fine leg fence. |
| 17.2 : M Abbas to Finch, Better line. Around off and moving back in a bit, Finch plays this one close to his front pad and closes the face of his bat to defend it towards mid-wicket. |
| A short mid-wicket in place. So two fielders in the catching position on the leg side. |
| 17.3 : M Abbas to Finch, Identical to the last delivery, once again getting some shape into the batsman, Aaron does well to defend it with soft hands to short mid-wicket. |
| 17.4 : M Abbas to Finch, Back of a length delivery outside off, Finch punches it behind off the outer half of his bat and the gully fielder dives across to his right to stop the ball. |
| 17.5 : M Abbas to Finch, Straighter delivery, worked off the pads to square leg. |
| 17.6 : M Abbas to Finch, Good line and length, around off, Finch defends it solidly from the crease. A tidy over by Abbas apart from the first delivery. |
| 18.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Yasir starts the new over with a slow flighted and fuller ball around off, Usman comes forward in defense. |
| 18.2 : Y Shah to U Khawaja, Similar ball by Shah and similarly blocked out by Khawaja. |
| 18.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up in line with the spin, Khawaja is being positive as he flicks this through mid-wicket to get a brace. |
| 18.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Usman plays a sweep shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 18.5 : Y Shah to Finch, A bit shorter outside off, Aaron rocks back and punches it through covers to get off strike. |
| 18.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up around off, Usman comes forward to defend but misses it to get rapped on the pads, but outside the line. |
| 19.1 : M Abbas to Finch, Attacking the corridor around off is Abbas, Finch keeps it out easily off the bat foot. |
| 19.2 : M Abbas to Finch, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 19.3 : M Abbas to Finch, A bit shorter this outside off, Finch punches into the gap at cover-point and takes a quick single. |
| 19.4 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Abbas now from around the wicket keeps it on a good length around off, Usman defends it from his crease. |
| 19.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, A bit fuller than good length around off, looking to get some movement maybe, Usman though defends this easily with a straight bat. |
| 19.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, The southpaw has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery to end the over. |
| 20.1 : Y Shah to Finch, Tossed up in line with the stumps, Finch comes forward in defense. |
| 20.2 : Y Shah to Finch, Nicely bowling as Yasir gives it a bit more air and keeps it full on off, Aaron drives this through covers and jogs across for a run. |
| 20.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, A bit fuller in length, works it into the mid-wicket region. |
| 20.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Again a bit fuller and slower outside the off stumps, Usman looking to defend it beaten by the prodigious turn as the ball hits his pads and goes to short fine leg. |
| 20.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Similar ball, similar shot attempted and the same result as the ball rolls down to the fielder at short fine leg. |
| 20.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up around off, driven to mid off. |
| 21.1 : M Abbas to Finch, Stifled appeal for am LBW! Abbas lands this on a good length around middle and leg, Aaron trying to flick misses it to get rapped on the pads, the Aussie go up in a half-appeal and then bail out as the ball is clearly going down leg. They pinch a single as the ball rolls into the gap at square leg. |
| 21.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Good length and just outside off, Khawaja looking to defend misses it to get beaten. |
| 21.3 : M Abbas to Khawaja, The southpaw chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 21.4 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Fuller in length and on middle and off, Usman defends it from within the crease. |
| 21.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Full and fast but a bit wide of off, Khaw2aja shoulders arms. |
| 21.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, This Usman drives this full length ball on off straight to covers. |
| 22.1 : Y Shah to Finch, Tossed up around off, defended off the front foot. |
| 22.2 : Y Shah to Finch, A bit slower and outside off, Finch thinks of going after it but leaves it at the last moment. |
| 22.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Beaten! Just Beautiful bowling! Classic leg spin on show here. Yasir gives this a bit more air and keeps it around off, Finch looking to defend it is completely beaten as the ball turns sharply and goes past his outside edge into Sarfraz's mitts. |
| 22.4 : Y Shah to A Finch, FOUR! 50-run opening syand comes up for the Aussies. Good start this. Shah errs in length and lands this a bit shorter outside off, Finch rocks back and cuts handsomely through point for a boundary. |
| 22.5 : Y Shah to Finch, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 22.6 : Y Shah to Finch, FOUR! Handsomely punched! A bit shorter than full length again by Yasis around off, Finch looks settled now as his goes back and punches this through the gap at covers to get his second boundary of the over. |
| Wahab Riaz to have a go now. |
| 23.1 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Starts with a straight delivery. Around middle and leg, Khawaja clips it behind square leg and scampers back for the second run. |
| 23.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, FOUR! Cracking shot! He is not letting any loose ball go unpunished. Wahab dishes out a short of a length delivery wide outside off, Usman camps back and slaps it square of the wicket on the off side for a boundary. |
| 23.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Angling into the batsman, Khawaja turns it off his pads again but this time finds the fielder at mid-wicket. |
| 23.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Around off on a length, slanting in, Khawaja defends it from the crease. |
| 23.5 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Once again Usman remains inside the crease to a length ball outside off and keeps it out safely. |
| 23.6 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Hurls across a length delivery pretty wide outside off, Khawaja lets it through to the keeper to end the over. |
| 24.1 : Y Shah to Finch, The leggie starts with a tossed up ball on off,Finch comes forward in defense. |
| 24.2 : Y Shah to Finch, Flighted again on middle, Finch defends but the ball takes the outer half and rolls towards the slip region. Good turn there for Yasir. |
| 24.3 : Y Shah to Finch, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 24.4 : Y Shah to Finch, SIX! KABOOM! That came out of nowhere, but we can expect this from the attacking right-hander. Yasir gives it air and keeps it very full. Aaron from within his crease takes a big stride forward before swinging his blade against the turn. He gets it away from the middle of the bat and it flies over long on for a biggie. |
| 24.5 : Y Shah to Finch, Good batting this from Finch as he goes back to this short delivery outside off and punches it through covers for a single. |
| 24.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Looks like the Aussie openers want to be aggressive against the leggie and put him under pressure. Clever tactics, if it comes off though. Khawaja this time skips down the track looking to flick it into the leg side but the ball spins into him and takes the inside edge towards backward square leg. A couple taken. End of an expensive over by Yasir. |
| 25.1 : W Riaz to Finch, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 25.2 : W Riaz to Finch, Similar ball on a good length around off, Finch defends from within his crease. |
| 25.3 : W Riaz to Finch, Fractionally shorter in length around off, Finch stands tall and punches this to covers. |
| 25.4 : W Riaz to Finch, Finch shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 25.5 : W Riaz to Finch, Fuller in length but on Finch's pads. He defends it into the mid-wicket region. |
| 25.6 : W Riaz to Finch, A bit short again outside off, punched towards covers to end the over. |
| 26.1 : Y Shah to U Khawaja, Full around off, Khawaja tries to drive a low full toss but ends up slicing it past backward point to get a brace. |
| 26.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, A bit slower and straighter, Khawaja turns this to square leg and gets off strike. |
| 26.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Flighted around off, Finch shoulders arms as it spins away into the keeper's gloves. |
| 26.4 : Y Shah to A Finch, Full on off, driven to mid off. |
| 26.5 : Y Shah to Finch, Beaten! Yasir bowling nicely but will be hoping for some luck in this burning heat. He tosses this full and on middle stump line. Aaron prods forward looking to defend but gets beaten because of some prodigious leg spin. |
| 26.6 : Y Shah to Finch, Flighted around off, Finch stays back in his crease and blocks it down. |
| 27.1 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Angles in a length ball on middle and leg, Khawaja flicks it off his pads but finds the fielder standing in front of square leg. |
| 0.0 : Sarfraz walks up to his bowler and has a little chat with him. Maybe, reminding him to bowl to the field. |
| 27.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Straightaway the line changes from middle and leg to outside off. But the length is on the shorter side and Khawaja will be disappointed to not put that away. He cracks it off his back foot but finds the point fielder. Here comes the first official warning as well for Wahab Riaz. The umpire was keeping a close eye on his landing and this time has given the warning. Riaz now needs to be careful. |
| 27.3 : W Riaz to U Khawaja, FOUR! Finds the gap this time. Wahab once again serves a short delivery around off, Usman uses the depth of his crease to get back and slap it past the point fielder this time. A boundary results. |
| 27.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Fullish and outside off, driven straight to wide mid off. |
| 27.5 : W Riaz to Khawaja, This is poor bowling. Seems Wahab's mind is now more on his landing than his line. Too straight again and Khawaja eases it through square leg for a three runs. |
| 27.6 : W Riaz to Finch, Switches to 'round the wicket for the right-hander and angles in a length ball on off, Finch defends it from the back foot to end the over. A pretty ordinary one by Wahab, struggled with his line and length and landing. |
| 28.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Probably the last over before the much-needed drinks break, Yasir starts it by bowling a full ball around off, Khawaja drives back to the bowler. |
| 28.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up and on of spinning in, Usman defends from within the crease. |
| 28.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, The southpaw survives. Yasir flick this and keeps it a but shorter than full around off, Khawaja skips down the track to play an aggressive shot but the ball turns in sharply with a bit of extra bounce, hits Khawaja's pads and up in the air towards short leg who catches it but no appeal there. |
| 28.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 28.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Similar ball and similarly defended by Aaron. |
| 28.6 : Shah to Khawaja, BIG APPEAL BUT NOT OUT! Khawaja again comes down the track, to the last ball before the break, and misses his defense to get hit on the pads and the ball again is caught by the short leg fielder. This time the men from Asia go up in a loud appeal but the umpires rejects their claim. No DRS taken. The opening pair has survived the first hour. |
| Drinks break. A very good hour for the Australians. They have not lost any wicket which is the crucial part and both their openers have looked decent. Having said that, it's spinning and bouncing and they cannot afford to relax. Pakistan have bowled well but without any success. The missed stumping chance of Usman Khawaja was the closest they got to getting the first breakthrough. Still, they will be hopeful of picking up a few wickets before the lunch break. Let's see how the next half pans out |
| 29.1 : W Riaz to Finch, Good length delivery angling down the leg side, Finch doesn't middle his flick shot well and it goes off the inside edge to fine leg. A single taken. |
| 29.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Fullish and angling in on middle, Khawaja defends it back to the bowler. |
| 29.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, A full toss down the leg side, Khawaja whips it behind square leg for a run. |
| 29.4 : W Riaz to Finch, It's been driven superbly through the covers. They pick up a single. |
| 29.5 : W Riaz to U Khawaja, Fullish and angling in on middle, Khawaja gets behind the line and pushes it back. |
| 29.6 : W Riaz to U Khawaja, FOUR. |
| Well...well...well... We're now getting to watch the replay of 28.6 and the Snicko has detected some spike. So, Pakistan have missed a trick. Khawaja gets another life. Yasir Shah was so sure in his appeal but failed to convince his skipper for the review. An opportunity gone. |
| 30.1 : Y Shah to Finch, FOUR! Flighted full but a bit down the leg side, Finch gets down and sweeps magnificiently through backward square leg for a boundary. |
| 30.2 : Y Shah to Finch, Tossed up around off, kept out off the front foot. |
| 30.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Full and down leg, Aaron tucks this fine of the square leg fielder for single. |
| 30.4 : Y Shah to Finch, 1 run. |
| 30.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up around off, Khawaja looking to block gets beaten to get rapped on the pads, but luckily for him the impact is outside off. |
| 30.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, A bit full this around off which allows the southpaw to drive it through mid on and take a single. |
| Spin from both ends now. Bilal Asif is into the attack. |
| 31.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Starts his spell with a tossed up delivery around off, Khawaja stays back in his crease and defends. |
| 31.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Fuller this on off, Usman drives this to mid on. |
| 31.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, This time though the southpaw leans across and drives it through covers too exchange strike. |
| 31.4 : B Asif to Finch, Flighted and full around off, Finch drives it to mid on. |
| 31.5 : B Asif to Finch, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 31.6 : B Asif to Finch, Appeal for LBW again but turned down again. Finch looking to block this off the front foot gets hit on the pads as he is beaten in spin, this results in a big appeal. The umpire is unmoved as though as the impact is outside the line of off. |
| 32.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 32.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Khawaja sweeps this full length ball to square leg and takes a run. |
| 32.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Tossed up around off, Aaron comes forward and keeps it out. |
| 32.4 : Y Shah to Finch, Full and slow again, Finch lunges forward and blocks with a straight bat. |
| 32.5 : Y Shah to Finch, Finch showing good patience and temperament as he is happy to defend this flight full ball around off off the front foot. |
| 32.6 : Y Shah to A Finch, Slower and full on off, Finch drives eases this to long on to gets single and retain strike. |
| 33.1 : B Asif to Finch, FOUR! Maiden Test fifty for Aaron Finch! And he reaches there in style. Gets down on one knee to a full ball outside off and plays a crunching sweep shot in front of square leg. There is a fielder in the deep but he got no chance of stopping it. We all know the kind of power Aaron possesses. That went like a tracer bullet. He raises his bat towards his dressing room. This is the first half century by an Australian opener on debut in Asia. |
| 33.2 : B Asif to Finch, Loopy full ball on off, defended off the front foot by Finch. |
| 33.3 : B Asif to Finch, Aaron has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 33.4 : B Asif to Finch, Flighted and on off, defended again off the front leg. |
| 33.5 : B Asif to Finch, Loopy on off, Aaron Finch has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 33.6 : B Asif to Finch, Sliding down the leg side, Finch fails to flick and it goes off his pads to fine leg. A couple of leg byes taken. |
| 34.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Full and outside off, turning into Usman, the southpaw gets down and sweeps this to backward square leg to change strike. |
| 34.2 : Y Shah to A Finch, Tossed up on off, Finch defends it towards cover-point. |
| 34.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Flighted and full again on off, Aaron drives this through covers to get a run. |
| 34.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Full ball on off, driven crisply to mid-wicket. |
| 34.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, INTERESTING CHOICE OF SHOT! Khawaja goes down and to everyone's surprise plays the reverse sweep. The connection is good but his finds the fielder at point. |
| 34.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 35.1 : B Asif to Finch, Tossed up around off, flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 35.2 : B Asif to Finch, Errs in line and lands this full ball a bit outside leg, Aaron delicately nudges this fine into the leg side to get a brace. |
| 35.3 : B Asif to Finch, Flighted on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 35.4 : B Asif to Finch, Leg bye! Flatter and quicket this, Finch tries to flick but the ball hits his pads and rolls towards square leg, they pinch a single. |
| 35.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Usman kneels and sweeps this nonchalantly through square leg to get a brace. |
| 35.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Now he paddle sweeps this elegantly fine into the leg side to pick up three. |
| 36.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Guess Usman is going to sweep his way out against the spinners, the southpaw again goes down to this fuller delivery on off and sweeps it through square leg to get off strike. |
| 36.2 : Y Shah to Finch, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 36.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Lovely bowling! Yasir gives this a bit more air enticing Aaron to go for a big shot, Finch obliges and swings his batting looking to hit it over the long on region, the ball spins in and takes the inside edge towards square leg and they take a single. |
| 36.4 : Y Shah to Finch, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 36.5 : Y Shah to Finch, Tossed up on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 36.6 : Y Shah to Finch, Some patience from Finch as he stays back to block it off the back foot. |
| 37.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 37.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, A bit slower and shorter this, played towards the point region. |
| 37.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, This time he goes back and keeps this full ball out. |
| 37.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, The southpaw has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 37.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Tad fuller in length around of, pushed through covers. |
| 37.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by Usman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 38.1 : Y Shah to Finch, Full on middle, Aaron lunges forward in defense. |
| 38.2 : Y Shah to Finch, Tossed up around off, Finch again is happy to defend it. |
| 38.3 : Y Shah to Finch, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 38.4 : Y Shah to Finch, Just short of short mid-wicket fielder. Finch seeing the length a bit short goes back and pulls it hard but a bit uppishly through mid-wicket. The ball bouncing in front of the fielder there who stops it well. Both batsman and bowler will feel they missed out. |
| 38.5 : Y Shah to Finch, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 38.6 : Y Shah to Finch, Slower on off, Finch defends it from within the crease. |
| 39.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Fuller ball around off is driven to covers. |
| 39.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 39.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, Tossed up on middle and defended from within his crease. |
| 39.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Slower and shorter, Usman goes back and punches this to covers. |
| 39.5 : B Asif to U Khawaja, Gets squared up by this wonderful ball by Asif. He tosses this around off, Khawaja tries to drive but gets a thick outside edge. The ball rolls towards the slip region, no harm done. |
| 39.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, BIG APPEAL BUT TURNED DOWN. Beautiful bowling again by Asif as he lands this full and on middle. Khawaja tries to block it from his crease but gets beaten to get rapped on the pads. The ball flies to first slip who grabs it and a big appeal ensues. The umpire is unmoved though as there was no bat there and the impact too was outside off. |
| 40.1 : Y Shah to Finch, Tossed up ball on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 40.2 : Y Shah to Finch, Tossed up ball wide outside off, Finch offers no shot and covers his stumps with his front pad. Lack of bounce visible there. |
| 40.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Full and flighted on off, Finch leans forward and defends it back. |
| 40.4 : Y Shah to Finch, Flatter and on off, it's punched back off the back foot by Finch. |
| 40.5 : Y Shah to Finch, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 40.6 : Y Shah to Finch, Fullish and on off, defended back from the front foot to end the over. Fourth maiden in a row for Pakistan. Good pressure bowling. |
| 41.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Uses his feet to get down the track and pushes it with the spin to covers. |
| 41.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Spin and bounce outside off, Usman leaves it alone and Sarfraz jumps a bit while collecting the ball. |
| 41.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, Once again Khawaja gets down the track to a full ball and forces it down to mid on for a quick single. |
| 41.4 : B Asif to Finch, Turning back into the batsman from around off, Aaron remains back and works it off his pads to short fine leg. |
| 41.5 : B Asif to Finch, Loopy delivery landing full on middle. Spinning down and Finch takes it on his pads by offering no shot. |
| 41.6 : B Asif to Finch, Floated off spinner on off, Aaron lunges and defends it close to his front pad. |
| 42.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, FOUR! The leggies gives some air and keeps it in line of the stumps, Khawaja though gets the reverse sweep out and this time he cracks it perfectly. The connection is so good that the ball races across the backward point region. |
| 42.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, FOUR! Back to Back boundaries for the southpaw. A similar ball is similarly played by the southpaw. The only difference is that this time he plays it much finer. The ball flies past the first slip fielder for another boundary. |
| 42.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Full and on off, Usman drives this through covers to get another brace. |
| 42.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Usman goes for the sweep but misses to get rapped on the pads. However, the impact is clearly outside off. |
| Review for LBW taken. |
| 42.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, BIG LBW APPEAL, REVIEWED, NOT OUT! Yasir has tossed this one around off, Khawaja gets down to sweep but misses and it seems it has missed the bat and hits the pads and rolls down to the fine leg region. The batsmen cross over for a brace but the Pakistan players go up in a big appeal for LBW. The umpire gives it not out and the bowler and the skipper have a chat and then decide to go for the review. Replays show the impact is umpire's call. Review saved and Usman survive |
| 42.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 43.1 : B Asif to Finch, Tossed up ball on middle, flicked on the leg side, found short leg. |
| 43.2 : B Asif to Finch, Flatter and shorter on off, turning back in, Finch goes deep inside the crease and punches it through covers. They take a couple as Abbas mops it up in the deep. Nahi...nahi...nahi.. was the reaction from Sarfraz after watching that length. |
| 43.3 : B Asif to Finch, Flighted and on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 43.4 : B Asif to Finch, Shout for an lbw, not entertained. Asif from 'round the wicket bowls a slider, Finch fails to work it around and is hit on the pads. They appeal but it hand pitched outside leg. |
| 43.5 : B Asif to Finch, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 43.6 : B Asif to Finch, A touch short and on off, Aaron goes on the back foot in defense. |
| 44.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up around off, Usman keeps it out from within the crease. |
| 44.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Flighted and full outside off, the southpaw gets down and cracks the sweep straight to the man at deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 44.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Tossed up from around the wicket, lands it very full on leg stump, Finch blocks it out. |
| 44.4 : Y Shah to Finch, Too wide down the leg side, Finch leaves it alone. |
| 44.5 : Y Shah to Finch, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 44.6 : Y Shah to Finch, Similar ball this but from over the wicket. Finch defends coming forward. |
| 45.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Flighted ball on middle and leg, Khawaja waits for the ball to arrive and flicks it gently into the square leg region to pick up a brace. |
| 45.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, A bit shorter outside off, Usman punches this through covers for a single. |
| 45.3 : B Asif to Finch, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 45.4 : B Asif to Finch, A bit flatter and in line with the leg stump, Finch flicks the ball off his pads to square leg. |
| 45.5 : B Asif to Finch, Shorter in length outside off, Finch punches it through cover-point to get off strike. |
| 45.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Flighted ball attacking the stumps, Khawaja defends from the crease with a straight bat. THAT'S LUNCH. Australia trail by 345 runs and need 146 more to avoid the follow-on with all wickets in tact. |
| 107 runs in 33 overs without losing a wicket. If someone would have asked the Aussies as to what kind of a start would they wish on Day 3, this would have been their answer. Both Finch and Khawaja have done well by mixing aggression with caution. The Pakistan spinners have certainly troubled the batters once in a while. A couple of chances worth mentioning are the missed stumping opportunity of Khawaja and also his bat-pad catch which was not referred to by Pakistan. |
| The Aussie openers have somehow managed to survive the session. They would look to continue and stay out there in the middle as long as possible. The home team, on the other hand, will be keen on taking a few quick wickets post the break and make the match interesting, for them and for us. Do join us in a short while for the post-Lunch session. |
| ... DAY 3, THIRD SESSION ... |
| Welcome back for the afternoon session. The men concerned are back on the field. Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja to resume their innings. Pakistan to begin with the pace of Wahab Riaz. The left-arm pacer was wayward in the morning and was also warned once for running on the danger area. Let's see how he does in this spell. A slip in place. Here we go... |
| 46.1 : W Riaz to A Finch, Makes the batsman drive first ball. Bowls it wide outside off, Finch strokes it off his front foot but finds the cover fielder. |
| 46.2 : W Riaz to Finch, Angles in a full ball on off, Aaron gets behind the line and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 46.3 : W Riaz to A Finch, Very full in length and wide outside off, Finch drives it off the toe end of his bat to short cover. |
| 46.4 : W Riaz to Finch, Good length ball outside off, staying a bit low. Finch remains on the back foot, keeps his eyes glued to the ball and defends. |
| 46.5 : W Riaz to A Finch, Nice drive and partially stopped. An overpitched delivery outside off, Finch plays the square drive with good timing and the cover-point fielder dives across to his left to take the pace off the ball. A couple of runs taken. |
| 46.6 : W Riaz to Finch, On a length around off, Finch stays back to play it quietly down to third man for a run. |
| Mohammad Abbas to bowl from the other end. No slip, only a gully in place. A silly mid off and silly mid on are present though, right in the face of the striker. |
| 47.1 : M Abbas to Finch, A length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 47.2 : M Abbas to Finch, Shortish and on off, Finch stays back to punch it through the line but it takes the inner half of his blade and rolls to square leg. |
| 47.3 : M Abbas to Finch, Angling into the batsman, wicket-to-wicket line, Finch is behind the line as he defends it to the leg side. |
| 47.4 : M Abbas to Finch, Fuller and straighter, it's flicked off the pads but straight to the square leg fielder. |
| 47.5 : M Abbas to A Finch, Shortish and on off, punched off the back foot to silly mid off. The fielder there picked the ball and immediately turned to look at the non-striker but Khawaja was well in. |
| 47.6 : M Abbas to Finch, Brings a length ball back into the batsman, Finch watchfully defends it to the off side. Maiden! |
| 48.1 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Back of a length delivery on off, at 140.3 kph, Khawaja offers a straight bat in defense. Solid. |
| 48.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Shout for an lbw! But the umpire remains unmoved. Wahab angles in a length ball on middle and leg, Khawaja fails to flick and is rapped on the pads. They appeal but it's missing leg. |
| 48.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Loses his radar and slips a length ball down the leg side. Khawaja tries to flick but misses and it's collected by Sarfraz behind the stumps. |
| 48.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Good length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 48.5 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Good delivery, angling in around off, a bit of reverse too. Khawaja keeps his weight on the back foot and blocks. |
| 48.6 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Hitting the bat hard, Wahab. Bends his back to deliver a shortish ball on off, Usman goes on his toes to defend it down on the off side. |
| 49.1 : M Abbas to Finch, A length ball on off, angling in, Finch closes the face of the bat and helps it to short mid-wicket. |
| 49.2 : M Abbas to Finch, Identical to the last delivery, once again it's angled in the direction of the middle stump, Finch watches it carefully before playing it with soft hands to the leg side. |
| 49.3 : M Abbas to Finch, Action replay of the last delivery. Abbas is doing well to make the batsman play every ball. Also, he is bowling as per the field. |
| 49.4 : M Abbas to Finch, On and around off, Finch stays back footed as he defends it back. The replay shows a big overstepping by the bowler but it goes unnoticed as the umpire failed to spot it. Hmm... |
| 49.5 : M Abbas to Finch, Shortish and on off, defended off the back foot to short mid-wicket. |
| 49.6 : M Abbas to Finch, A length ball on off, a hint of inward shape, Aaron plays it down from the back foot to covers. |
| 50.1 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Full and angling in on middle and leg, Khawaja leans forward and across before flicking it off his pads. Good timing but wrong placement. Straight to square leg. |
| 50.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Terrific delivery. A hint of reverse there. Riaz serves it on a length around off, Khawaja covers the line and blocks it out. |
| 50.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Back of a length ball on off, Khawaja eases himself on the back foot and punches it towards cover-point. |
| 50.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Shortish and on off, punched off the back foot to covers. Interesting conversation going on between Waqar Younis and Ramiz Raja. The latter asks the former about the players who hail from Islamabad and have played Test cricket. Waqar names Mohammad Akram and then after some hints by Ramiz, mentions Usman Khawaja. The whole point of asking this question was that Rameez wanted to say that Khawaja knows Urdu and Sarfraz will have to talk in some other language while having |
| 50.5 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Slips it down the leg side, Khawaja clips it fine down the leg side for a couple of runs. |
| 50.6 : W Riaz to Khawaja, On a length around off, defended off the back foot to end the over. |
| 51.1 : M Abbas to Finch, Excellent piece of fielding resulting in a confusion between the batsmen. Finch has flicked a full ball off his pads to square leg where Bilal Asif dives full length to his right to stop the ball. Initially Aaron looks for a run and Khawaja responds by rushing mid-way down the track. Then the southpaw is sent back after the fielding effort. Sarfraz goes to pat on the back of the young man. |
| 51.2 : M Abbas to Finch, Gets behind the line and defends it. |
| 51.3 : M Abbas to Finch, Once again covers the line and forces it out on the leg side. |
| 51.4 : M Abbas to Finch, OUT! Finch is gone! Excellent low catch by Asad Shafiq. The ploy to have a silly mid on has worked. Abbas with a full length delivery strikes. He angles it into the batsman and Finch tries to hit it down the ground. Goes at with firm hands, middles it decently but fails to keep it down. It's dying down in front of Shafiq who shows extremely good reflexes to grab it inches above the surface. Pakistan can celebrate, finally. The 142-run stand has been broken. |
| Shaun Marsh is the number 3 batsman. |
| 51.5 : M Abbas to Marsh, Shortish and on off, blocked off the back foot. |
| 51.6 : M Abbas to Marsh, A length delivery in the channel outside off, it's left alone. End of a successful over, a wicket maiden. |
| 52.1 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 52.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Lands it around off, on a length, it's defended off the front foot. |
| 52.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Khawaja has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 52.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Back of a length delivery on off, Usman goes on the back foot and defends it back. |
| 52.5 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Serves a length ball on middle and off, some reverse there, Khawaja clips it in the gap at mid-wicket and collects a couple. |
| 52.6 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Angles in a length ball on off, Khawaja brings down a straight bat in defense. |
| 53.1 : M Abbas to Marsh, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 53.2 : M Abbas to Marsh, On a length and outside off, going straight on, Marsh covers the line and shoulders arms. |
| 53.3 : M Abbas to S Marsh, EDGY FOUR! Excellent delivery. Straightening after pitching. It's angling in around off and Marsh pushes inside the line, flat-footed. It goes off the outside edge, through the gap between first slip and gully, and reaches the fence. Moral victory for the bowler. |
| 53.4 : M Abbas to Marsh, Good length ball on off, Shaun defends it solidly this time. |
| 53.5 : M Abbas to Marsh, Gets on the front foot this time to a length ball outside off and blocks it watchfully. |
| 53.6 : M Abbas to Marsh, Drops it on a length outside off, Marsh decides to play this from the crease. He does so off the bottom half of his blade. |
| 54.1 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Angling into the batsman, from around off, Khawaja keeps his eyes on the ball and blocks it. |
| 54.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Wahab is definitely getting the reverse swing now. Fails to get the direction right this time though. He bowls it down the leg side and Usman fails to get any wood behind it. |
| 54.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Bowls it with a slingy action and drops it on a length outside off, Khawaja stays back to play it through backward point for a run. |
| 54.4 : W Riaz to Marsh, Full and moving back into the batsman, Marsh is on the front foot as he defends it back. There are a couple of catchers on the leg side in a close-in position, at mid-wicket. So Shaun needs to be careful with his flick shots. Can't afford to be loose there. |
| 54.5 : W Riaz to Marsh, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 54.6 : W Riaz to Khawaja, FOUR! Nicely played! Wahab digs in a short delivery but it lacks direction. It's around leg and Usman gets on top of the bounce before pulling it fine down the leg side for a boundary. A good end to the over for Australia. |
| 55.1 : M Abbas to Marsh, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 55.2 : M Abbas to Marsh, Another delivery in the channel outside off, holding its line, Marsh shoulders arms. Abbas needs to pitch it up more. |
| Azhar Ali has a chat with the bowler. |
| 55.3 : M Abbas to Marsh, Better line and length. He pitches it full and in the middle stump line. The ball straightens a touch and Marsh does well to defend it from the crease. The 'round the wicket angle along with this line - a dangerous proposition for the southpaw. |
| 55.4 : M Abbas to Marsh, Pitches it up and wide outside off, Marsh plays a confident drive but finds the cover fielder. |
| 55.5 : M Abbas to Marsh, Beaten by a beauty! Abbas delivers this one from wide of the crease. He dishes out a back of a length ball around off and it straightens from there. The angle made the batsman play at it but then it straightens to beat the bat. Marsh was clueless. |
| 55.6 : M Abbas to Marsh, Marsh has played that off the front foot and into the ground. A maiden! |
| Yasir Shah to operate for the first time in this session. He has been wicket-less so far but things could change now. |
| 56.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Flighted delivery landing outside off and turning into the batsman. Khawaja easily works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a run. Plenty of rough outside the left-hander's off stump and Shah will be looking to exploit that. |
| 56.2 : Y Shah to Marsh, Full and flighted on off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 56.3 : Y Shah to Marsh, Allows the ball to spin back in and works it past the diving leg gully fielder. The short fine leg fielder is a bit late in reacting and they cross for a run, much to Sarfraz' disappointment. |
| 56.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Goes down on one knee and sweeps a full ball down to fine leg for a run. |
| 56.5 : Y Shah to Marsh, Tossed up ball on off, spinning back in, Marsh gets forward and defends it back with a straight willow. |
| 56.6 : Y Shah to Marsh, Big spin on this occasion. Landing outside off and turning in sharply, Marsh is forward in defense but misses. He is trapped on the pads, they appeal but it's spinning too much and would have missed the stumps. |
| Bilal Asif comes back into the attack. A slip and a short leg in place to start with for the southpaw |
| 57.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Shortish and on off, punched off the back foot to short cover. |
| 57.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Floated and full outside off, turning away, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 57.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, Short and wide outside off, trying to tempt the batsman, Khawaja though lets it be. |
| 57.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Closer to the off stump this time, it's on the shorter side again and Usman plays it off his back foot to point. |
| 57.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Well bowled! The best delivery of the over. Flighted and full outside off, Khawaja gets lured into a cover drive but is beaten by the away spin. |
| 57.6 : Asif to U Khawaja, Top edge but safe! Usman loses his patience this time. He sees the line to be too straight and length to be too full and immediately sits down on one knee for the slog sweep. Fails to middle his shot and it goes in the air over mid-wicket. Falls in no man's land in the deep and they take a couple of runs. |
| 58.1 : Y Shah to Marsh, Loopy and full outside off, Marsh gets forward and across before defending it t the leg side. |
| 58.2 : Y Shah to Marsh, Goes on the back foot to a shortish ball and punches it towards mid-wicket. |
| 58.3 : Y Shah to Marsh, Lets the ball to turn back in from the rough outside off and then dead-bats it safely. |
| 58.4 : Y Shah to S Marsh, Too full this time and Marsh drives it with the spin to mid on for a single. |
| 58.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Comes from over the wicket for Khawaja. Serves it full and outside off, Usman comes down the track and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 58.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Very full and on off, hit firmly but once again back to the bowler. |
| Drinks. A much-better hour for Pakistan. They have managed to dismiss Aaron Finch owing to a great strategy and with the ball spinning, the Asian team will be eyeing more wickets. Usman Khawaja is going strongly for Australia and he will hope that Shaun Marsh sticks around with him. Expect plenty of spin dose in the next 60 minutes. |
| 59.1 : B Asif to Marsh, Loopy and full outside off, turning away, Marsh leans forward and pushes it to point. |
| 59.2 : B Asif to Marsh, OUT! Another one bites the dust and the debutant Bilal Asif gets his first Test wicket. A generously tossed up delivery outside off. Tempting the batsman. Marsh is lured into a cover drive but the ball spins away after kissing the deck and takes an outside edge to first slip. Asad Shafiq grabs the catch over his head this time as Australia lose their second wicket. A big blow to the Aussies as Shaun has a good record batting in Asia. |
| Mitchell Marsh is the new batsman. |
| 59.3 : B Asif to Marsh, Fullish and on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 59.4 : B Asif to Marsh, A touch flat and on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 59.5 : B Asif to Marsh, Full floated off spinner on off, Marsh tries to defend but it takes the inside edge and rolls to square leg. They cross for a hesitant single. |
| 59.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, This one straightens after landing on the rough outside off, Marsh allows it through to the keeper. Top over by the debutant, a wicket and a run from it. |
| 60.1 : Y Shah to Marsh, Slower through the air, a bit short and around off, Mitchell goes on the back foot in defense. |
| 60.2 : Y Shah to Marsh, Loopy leg spinner landing too full on middle, Marsh is on the front foot as he pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 60.3 : Y Shah to Marsh, Flighted leg spinner again, on middle, Marsh lunges and defends. |
| 60.4 : Y Shah to M Marsh, Plays with the spin. Full and on off, Mitchell draws forward and drives it through covers for a run. |
| 60.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, A googly landing around leg and bounces a bit more than expected. Khawaja goes back to work it around but is beaten and gets it away from the higher half of his bat. |
| 60.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Walks down the track and drives it towards mid off to end the over. |
| 61.1 : B Asif to Marsh, Turning in from around off, Marsh is on the front foot in defense. |
| 61.2 : B Asif to Marsh, Loopy off spinner landing outside off, Marsh is on the front foot in defense but misses. It goes off his pads to first slip where the fielder dives to his left to catch it but puts it down. Was there an edge? Maybe, just missed the inside edge. |
| 61.3 : B Asif to Marsh, Extra slower through the air, at 78.6 kph, Marsh goes on the back foot and punches it to long on for a run. |
| 61.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Tossed up ball outside off, left alone. |
| 61.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, FOUR! Firmly stroked! Flighted and full delivery outside off, Usman Khawaja kneels and sweeps it in front of square leg for a cracking boundary. |
| 61.6 : B Asif to U Khawaja, OUT! A risky attempt by Usman Khawaja and he has thrown away his wicket. A start wasted. Asif bowls it flatter through the air and it skids on after landing with some extra bounce. Khawaja opts for the paddle sweep but the length is not the ideal one to do so. It takes the top edge of his bat and balloons in the air. Imam-ul-Haq moves across to his left from short leg to take a simple catch. A big wicket this for Pakistan as they get rid of the set batsman. |
| Debutant Travis Head is the new batsman in with Australia in a spot of bother. |
| Yasir Shah to continue. He will also like to get among the wickets. |
| 62.1 : Y Shah to Marsh, DROPPED! Caught and bowled chance goes down and Yasir has no one else but himself to blame for missing this simple opportunity. He flights it nicely and keeps it around off. Travis head drives uppishly straight to the bowler. It pitched in the rough may be and that is why Head could not control his stroke. The ball though bursts through Yasir's hands and hits him in the chest. He is seen sitting down with some pain, physical and also the pain of dropping the catch. |
| 62.2 : Y Shah to Marsh, Keeps it wide of off, Marsh shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 62.3 : Y Shah to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 62.4 : Y Shah to Marsh, Tossed up around off, Marsh does well to come forward and defend. |
| 62.5 : Y Shah to Marsh, Outside off and left alone by the batsman. |
| 62.6 : Y Shah to Marsh, Marsh defends it from within the crease and ends an interesting over. |
| 63.1 : B Asif to Head, Flighted ball landing outside off and spinning away, Head is on the front foot in defense but gets beaten. |
| 63.2 : B Asif to Head, Tossed up ball on off, defended back off the front foot. |
| 63.3 : B Asif to Head, Loopy and on off, it's played down with the spin to the off side. |
| 63.4 : B Asif to Head, Quicker and flatter this time, a bit short as well, Head goes on his back foot and defends it down. Sarfraz collects the ball on one bounce. |
| 63.5 : B Asif to Head, Shortish and on middle, Head works it off his hips but finds the backward square leg fielder. |
| 63.6 : B Asif to Head, Beaten again! Beautifully bowled delivery. It drifts in around off and then spins away, Head draws forward to defend but is beaten by the off spin. |
| 64.1 : Y Shah to Marsh, Very full delivery in line with the stumps, drives gently to mid off. |
| 64.2 : Y Shah to Marsh, Pretty much identical this delivery and also the shot. |
| 64.3 : Y Shah to Marsh, He slows it down a bit and keeps it marginally shorter than full, Marsh goes back and punches it to covers. |
| 64.4 : Y Shah to Marsh, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 64.5 : Y Shah to Marsh, FOUR! A gift from Yasir and gleefully accepted by Marsh. The leggie gives a air, a bit too much though as it is a full toss and Marsh flicks it beautifully through mid-wicket to get a boundary. |
| 64.6 : Y Shah to Marsh, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 65.1 : B Asif to Head, Tossed up on off, driven to covers. |
| 65.2 : B Asif to Head, Slower and shorter on leg, Head goes back to block it out. |
| 65.3 : B Asif to T Head, OUT! The fourth one falls! Wonderfull spin bowling on show here. Pakistan have made this boring match interesting in a span of 30 mins. Bilal again gives this one more air and keeps it on off. Head, who has just come in, goes for the cover drive. The ball lands and spins taking the outside edge and it flies to second slip where Haris Sohail takes a beauty by diving low to his left. Pakistan will now look to go through the Aussie lower order. |
| Marnus Labuschagne is the new batsman. He is also on his international debut. |
| 65.4 : B Asif to Labuschagne, Wide down the leg side, No trouble at all for the batsman. |
| 65.5 : B Asif to M Labuschagne, OUT! HALF THE SIDE IS OUTTA HERE! Bilal, on debut, is on fire. He gets his second scalp in the over as he flights this one and lands it a bit shorter than full length around middle and off. Labuschagne comes forward to defend but the ball turns and bounces more than he expected and takes the inside edge onto his pads and lobs to Imam-ul-Haq at short leg. The Pakistan team is celebrating wildly as they feel they have got a firm grip now on this match. |
| Skipper Tim Paine is in next. Australia need 112 more to avoid the follow-on. |
| 65.6 : B Asif to Paine, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| A run-out appeal against Marsh has been referred upstairs. |
| 66.1 : Y Shah to Marsh, Full on off, driven to cover. |
| 66.2 : Y Shah to Marsh, Marsh pushes this shortish delivery through covers to get off strike. |
| 66.3 : Y Shah to Paine, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 66.4 : Y Shah to Tim Paine, This is the last thing Australia will hope for - a run-out. Yasir tosses this up on off, Paine drives it to mid off and takes off. The man there does well to pick it up clean and hit the target at the striker's end. Pakistan feel they have a run out here as the umpire has referred it upstairs. Replays show that Marsh is in but he would have had his heart in his mouth for a while. Everything has started to happen now. |
| 66.5 : Y Shah to Marsh, No run. |
| 66.6 : Y Shah to Marsh, 1 run. |
| 67.1 : B Asif to Marsh, Lets the ball spin back into him and then defends it off his front foot to short leg. |
| 67.2 : B Asif to Marsh, Spin and bounce into the batsman from outside off, Marsh goes back to punch it but finds the fielder on the off side. |
| 67.3 : B Asif to Marsh, Turning into the batsman from around off, Marsh gets back and punches it down to mid on. |
| 67.4 : B Asif to Marsh, Quicker one, around off, defended off the back foot. That straightened after pitching. Doosra? |
| 67.5 : B Asif to Marsh, Fullish and on off, fired in, once again blocked off the back foot. |
| 67.6 : B Asif to Marsh, Short and on off, punched from the crease to covers. |
| Mohammad Hafeez to roll his arm now. |
| 68.1 : M Hafeez to Paine, A bit short this, Paine has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 68.2 : M Hafeez to Paine, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 68.3 : M Hafeez to Paine, Slower and a bit shorter of full length, defended from within the crease by the Aussie skipper. |
| 68.4 : M Hafeez to Paine, Paine defends it from within the crease. |
| 68.5 : M Hafeez to Paine, Similar ball and a similar looking block by Paine to survive this over. |
| 68.6 : M Hafeez to Paine, Paine charges down the ground to this flighted delivery on off and drives it to mid on for a run. |
| 69.1 : Y Shah to Paine, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 69.2 : Y Shah to Paine, Tossed up in line with the stumps, Paine comes right forward to defend it. |
| 69.3 : Y Shah to Paine, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 69.4 : Y Shah to Paine, A bit shorter this as Marsh punches it to covers. |
| 69.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Paine goes back to this shortish ball on off, punches it to covers. |
| 69.6 : Y Shah to Paine, Beaten! Beauty again from Yasir. Lands this in line wit the stumps and a bit fuller. Paine comes ahead to defend but is completely beaten by the spin. A half-hearted appeal by Pakistan but they knew it was not out. |
| 70.1 : B Asif to Marsh, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 70.2 : B Asif to Marsh, Good ball this as he gives it more air and lands it around off, Marsh looking to block it but gets an inside edge. |
| 70.3 : B Asif to Marsh, Marsh has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 70.4 : B Asif to Marsh, Marsh shows full face of his bat to this shortish ball on off and defends. |
| 70.5 : B Asif to Marsh, Bilal is bowling well here and is getting good purchase off the deck. Worrying signs for Australia. Marsh defends this full ball off the front foot. |
| 70.6 : B Asif to Marsh, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 71.1 : Y Shah to Tim Paine, FOUR! Errs in length and Paine rocks back to punch it through cover-point for a lovely boundary. Needs to play a captain's innings. |
| 71.2 : Y Shah to Paine, The Aussie skipper has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 71.3 : Y Shah to Paine, Flighted ball on off, driven straight back. |
| 71.4 : Y Shah to Paine, Tossed up on off, Paine lunges ahead in defense. |
| 71.5 : Y Shah to Paine, A full pitched ball is driven to mid off. |
| 71.6 : Y Shah to Paine, Punched off the back foot by the batsman towards the bowler. |
| 72.1 : B Asif to Marsh, Full ball on middle, blocked out off the front foot. |
| 72.2 : B Asif to Marsh, Similar ball this a bit outside off, turning in, Marsh defends it. |
| 72.3 : B Asif to Marsh, A bit slower and shorter this, Marsh goes back to punch it to mid on and takes a quick single. |
| 72.4 : B Asif to Paine, Flighted ball on the off stump line, TP does well to keep it out. |
| 72.5 : B Asif to Paine, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 72.6 : B Asif to Paine, Doosra time! Now we have seen almost all variations from these two spinner. He tosses this one up around off. Paine goes back looking to block it but is surprised as the ball turns the other way. However, the Aussie skipper has enough time to adjust his shot and he survives this session. THAT'S TEA. |
| What a great turnaround by Pakistan in the afternoon session! They worked hard in the morning but without any success. Their fortunes changed though as they managed to pick five wickets by conceding just 43 runs and made a completely mockery of Australia's batting. From 142/0, the Kangaroos have slipped to 180/5 and are in a big spot of bother. |
| Australia were going great guns after their openers put together a big partnership. But once Aaron Finch fell, Pakistan got an opening and they barged through it. Debutant Bilal Asif bowled tremendously and ran riot by picking a 4-wicket haul. Australia's misery against the spinning ball was once again on display as they crumbled. They still require 103 runs to avoid the follow-on and have their final recognized pair in the middle. It's only going to get tough for them from here on. Do join us i |
| ... DAY 3, FINAL SESSION ... |
| We are all set to get the final session underway. It promises to be an action-packed one as we see the umpires along with the Pakistan team stride out to the middle. Tim Paine and Mitchell Marsh also make their way to the middle. Interesting! Azhar Ali to start the final session of the day. Let's go... |
| 73.1 : A Ali to Marsh, Starts off with a flatter delivery on off, no turn on the first one as it was pushed through. Marsh defends it. |
| 73.2 : A Ali to M Marsh, A little bit of turn on this one as it was bowled a touch slower and also tossed up a lot more. Marsh tries to defend but due to the turn, the ball takes the outside edge and goes towards short third man. |
| 73.3 : A Ali to Marsh, Sarfraz gets in a second slip seeing the last delivery but Ali ends up bowling a low full toss. Marsh hits it down to long on. The batsmen take one. Paine calls for a second and Marsh responds but the former sends him back in time as the fielder was quick to the ball. |
| 73.4 : A Ali to Paine, Misfield! Lazy that from the fielder! It was pushed towards him at covers, he does not get down quickly and it goes towards the sweeper for a run. |
| 73.5 : A Ali to Marsh, Another single! Too short is Ali here, Marsh goes back and punches it through covers for a run. |
| 73.6 : A Ali to Paine, Flatter around off, this is a touch quicker, Paine punches it to the man at covers. |
| Mohammad Abbas to bowl from the other end. Strange the ball is not given to Bilal. |
| 74.1 : M Abbas to Marsh, Good length delivery around off, it comes back in a touch. Marsh blocks it out. |
| 74.2 : M Abbas to Marsh, Very little movement into the batsman from around off, Marsh defends it again. |
| 74.3 : M Abbas to Marsh, OUT! That is plumb in front! Abbas strikes in his first over after the break to put Australia further on the back foot. Excellent in-dipper from him from outside off, it tails back in late. Marsh does not get his bat down in time and the ball hits him on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire raises his finger straightaway. Marsh too starts walking as he knows he is a goner. Pakistan are into the tail now, they need another 100 runs to avoid the follow-on. |
| Mitchell Starc is the new man in. He is no mug with the bat and can tonk a few. |
| 74.4 : M Abbas to Starc, BEATEN! Not a shot you want to play first up but that is how Starc plays, he will go after anything in his zone. Full and outside off, swinging away. Starc goes for the drive through the off side but gets beaten. |
| 74.5 : M Abbas to Starc, Attacks the stumps, Starc keeps it out. |
| 74.6 : M Abbas to Starc, A little too wide outside off, MS shoudlers arms to it. End of a brilliant over by Abbas, a wicket maiden. |
| Bilal Asif is into the attack. So just the one over for Azhar Ali. |
| Paine has been caught at short leg. He has been given out by the umpire. He though is not sure whether he hit it or not, walks up to his partner and after a chat reviews. |
| 75.1 : B Asif to Paine, OUT! There is a spike on Snicko and the umpire is asked to stay with his decision. Bilal Asif gets a fifer on debut. He was brought in to replace Shadab Khan and let me tell you, he has made a big impact here. He gets rid of the Australian skipper cheaply. Another off spinner on middle, Paine tries to flick but the ball seems to have taken an inside edge onto his pads. The ball lobs towards Imam at short leg who takes it and appeals. The umpire, after giving it a thought r |
| 0.0 : Peter Siddle is the new man in. |
| 75.2 : B Asif to Siddle, Floats it up on middle, Siddle strokes it to mid on. |
| 75.3 : B Asif to Siddle, Extra bounce! Flatter and on the pads, this one takes off after pitching. Siddle lifts his gloves out of the way and the ball hits him on the body and goes towards the short leg fielder. He takes it and lets out another appeal but the umpire is not interested. |
| 75.4 : B Asif to P Siddle, The other one this time, it pitches and goes away. Siddle tries to defend but the ball takes the edge and goes towards short third man for a run. |
| 75.5 : B Asif to M Starc, A little too full outside off, it is stroked to covers. |
| 75.6 : B Asif to Starc, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. End of another successful over. |
| 76.1 : M Abbas to Siddle, Goes fuller in length on the pads, Siddle flicks it through fine leg and gets to the other end. |
| 76.2 : M Abbas to Starc, Good length outside off, left alone. |
| 76.3 : M Abbas to Starc, On a length around off, defended. |
| 76.4 : M Abbas to Starc, Starc strokes it on the up to the man at covers. |
| 76.5 : M Abbas to M Starc, On the fuller side, Starc strokes it to covers again. |
| 76.6 : M Abbas to Starc, The batsman has punched that ball through the offside. Dot ball to end the over. |
| 77.1 : B Asif to Siddle, Tosses it up on off, Siddle lunges and keeps it out. |
| 77.2 : B Asif to Siddle, Close shave! Siddle goes for the sweep but he drags it a little, the ball goes close past the leg pole and towards fine leg for a couple. |
| 77.3 : B Asif to Siddle, Flatter on the pads, Siddle flicks it through square leg for a run. |
| 77.4 : B Asif to Starc, Slower through the air a little too wide outside off, left alone. |
| 77.5 : B Asif to Starc, Lovely bowling! Slower through the air outside off, it drifts in. Starc pushes out at the ball but it turns and whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 77.6 : B Asif to Starc, A similar ball but this time Starc plays inside the line and lets it be. |
| 78.1 : M Abbas to Siddle, NICE SHOT! Slightly on the shorter side, Siddle stands tall and punches it through covers for a three. |
| 78.2 : M Abbas to Starc, Around the off pole, Starc makes a leave. |
| 78.3 : M Abbas to Starc, Goes after a wide delivery outside off but due to the lack of bounce, it hits the bottom part of the bat and goes to point. |
| 78.4 : M Abbas to Starc, OUT! 8th one down! Abbas gets his third and Starc does not trouble the scorers. Abbas angles this into the off pole which means the batter has to play at it. Gets it to leave after pitching. Starc plays inside the line and the ball kisses the outside edge before going low towards Sarfraz who dives forward and takes a good catch. Third Australian batsman to bag a duck in this innings. 92 more needed to avoid the follow-on. |
| Nathan Lyon walks out to face the heat. 100th innings for him. |
| 78.5 : M Abbas to Lyon, In the 5th stump channel, Lyon keeps it out. |
| 78.6 : M Abbas to Lyon, On the pads, Lyon misses the flick, the ball brushes the pads and goes towards fine leg. The batsmen take a leg bye. |
| 79.1 : B Asif to Lyon, Brings the sweep shot out, Lyon's favorite shot. He connects well towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 79.2 : B Asif to Siddle, The doosra on middle, Siddle tries to flick, closes the bat face a touch early and gets a soft leading edge towards mid off. |
| 79.3 : B Asif to Siddle, Dances down the track and strokes it towards mid off for a single. |
| 79.4 : B Asif to Lyon, Again sweeps it well towards deep square leg for a single. |
| 79.5 : B Asif to Siddle, Siddle tries to copy what his partner is doing but does not succeed. He misses to get hit on his arm. There is an appeal but the umpire shakes his head. |
| 79.6 : B Asif to Siddle, Flatter delivery on off, kept out. |
| 80.1 : M Abbas to Lyon, Another good length delivery on off, the batsman blocks it out. |
| 80.2 : M Abbas to Lyon, Just got an inside edge there or Abbas would have had his 4th. Full and this one comes back in very late. Lyon has his front foot planted across and tried to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 80.3 : M Abbas to Lyon, Again plants his front foot right across and works the in-dipper towards mid-wicket. He needs to connect or he is an LBW candidate. |
| 80.4 : M Abbas to Lyon, Good length around off, Lyon pushes it to covers. |
| 80.5 : M Abbas to N Lyon, FOUR! Handy runs these but they need a lot more! Length ball around off, Lyon pushes at it away from his body. He gets an outside edge through the vacant slip region and into the third man fence. |
| 80.6 : M Abbas to Lyon, Lands it on a length once again, Lyon defends it. Keeps hitting the good length area does Abbas, so very tight and his figures show how good he has been today. |
| 81.1 : B Asif to Siddle, Floats it up on middle, Siddle blocks it out. |
| 81.2 : B Asif to Siddle, Another offie on middle, Siddle swings but misses to get hit on the pads. Sarfraz appeals and Bilal then joins in. The umpire though shakes his head. Going down. |
| 81.3 : B Asif to Siddle, Floats it up on middle, Siddle gets behind the line and blocks it. |
| 81.4 : B Asif to Siddle, Fires it on off, Siddle tries to defend but gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket. |
| 81.5 : B Asif to Siddle, Another missed stumping! This one was tougher though. It had a big deflection on its way. Siddle uses his feet and tries to go over the top. He misses and the ball hits his pads and goes towards the right of Sarfraz. He was initially moving to his left and then fails to adjust. The ball goes down to third man and the batsmen take two byes. The umpire did not spot it hitting the pads. |
| 81.6 : B Asif to Siddle, Another doosra around off, Siddle tries to defend but gets an outside edge through short third man for a run. |
| 82.1 : M Abbas to Siddle, Good length on off, kept out. |
| 82.2 : M Abbas to Siddle, Good length again around off, it comes back in a touch. Siddle tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 82.3 : Abbas to Siddle, A huge appeal but not given! Going down leg again! Coming back in a bit too much from middle and it is a little too full. Siddle tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 82.4 : M Abbas to Siddle, Fullish on middle, it is played to mid on. |
| 82.5 : Abbas to P Siddle, OUT! TIMBER! Four-fer for Abbas. Full and swinging back in from outside off, Siddle goes for the drive leaving a huge gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaks through and disturbs the furniture behind. The end is now nigh for Australia. Abbas on the other hand, has one ball to get a fifer. Will he do so? |
| Jon Holland is the last man in. |
| 82.6 : Abbas to Holland, No he does not! Goes for another full, in-dipping delivery but errs in line. It is too much down the leg side. Holland tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. A stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire. |
| 83.1 : B Asif to Lyon, The doosra again on off, Lyon goes back and first thinks of defending it but seeing it turn away, he pulls his bat out. |
| 83.2 : B Asif to Lyon, Works it with the turn to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 83.3 : B Asif to Lyon, OUT! There was a fielder for the sweep shot and Lyon finds him to perfection. He picks up a 6-fer on debut. He tosses this up around middle, Lyon goes for the sweep, connects well but does not keep it down. It goes straight to the fielder at square leg, Ali there takes it and that is the end of the Pakistan innings. They have been bowled out for 202. |
| SO, PAKISTAN HAVE NOT ENFORCED THE FOLLOW-ON! Which means they will come out to bat with a massive lead of 280 runs. Who would have thought that when Finch and Khawaja were batting. The two looked at ease out there with both getting to their half tons. The duo stitched a 142-run stand and at that time, Australia looked like they would too post a big first innings score. |
| That wasn't to be so as one wicket changed the whole complexion of the game. Abbas struck early after Lunch when he removed Finch with a perfectly sorted out plan. Marsh and Khawaja soon followed and once the latter was dismissed. The rest fell like a pack of cards.None of the batters, except for the top two crossed the 20 run mark. Four of the Australians failed to register a run. A very sorry batting display where they lost all their 10 wickets for 40 runs. |
| Now, who did the job for Pakistan? Any guesses? No it is not Yasir Shah, it is debutant who has made a huge, huge impact. He spun a web around the Australian batsmen and picked up a 6-fer. |
| 0.1 : M Starc to Imam, Fires this one straight in line with the stumps, the southpaw flicks it to square leg. |
| 0.2 : M Starc to Imam, A shorter in length and on off, Imam tries to punch it but the ball seems to have stuck in this slow pitch. The ball gets the inner half of his bat and rolls towards square leg. |
| 0.3 : M Starc to Imam, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 0.4 : M Starc to Imam, Leg bye. Full but down the leg side, Imam looks to flick but misses the ball and gets hit on the pads. The batsmen take a single as the ball rolls in the gap behind the square leg region. |
| 0.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 0.6 : M Starc to Hafeez, Hafeez lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 1.1 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 1.2 : N Lyon to Imam, FOUR! Cracked! Lyon drops it short and a bit outside off, Imam punches this through the cover-point region for the first boundary of this innings. |
| 1.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Flatter in length on off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 1.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Fires it outside off, turning away. Left alone. |
| 1.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Another shortish delivery on off, Imam punches it firmly to the man at covers. |
| 1.6 : N Lyon to Imam, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 2.1 : M Starc to Hafeez, Fuller in length outside off, Hafeez tries to drive but it goes off the inner half towards the bowler. |
| 2.2 : M Starc to Hafeez, Good length way outside off, left alone. |
| 2.3 : M Starc to Hafeez, Another ball a little too wide outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 2.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, Closer to the off pole this time, Hafeez punches it towards covers. He took off as he wanted a run but his partner sends him back in time. The fielder has a shy at the batsman's end but misses. |
| 2.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, FOUR! Too easy! Short and wide outside off, it comes slow off the surface. Hafeez has all the time in the world to guide it through backward point and fetch a boundary. |
| 2.6 : M Starc to Hafeez, Goes for the yorker on middle, Hafeez jams it out towards covers for a run. |
| 3.1 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Works it with the turn to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 3.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Just short but a lot of turn there. Lyon floats it up on off, it comes back in sharply. Takes the inside edge, hits the pads and lobs towards first slip. The fielder there puts in a dive forward but collects it on the bounce. Okay, hold on, replays later show, even if the fielder had taken it, it would not have made a difference as it was off the pads. |
| 3.3 : N Lyon to Hafeez, FOUR! Cracked! That has raced to the fence. Another off spinner from Lyon. Hafeez goes down on one knee and sweeps it hard through square leg. It is in the gap which means a boundary. |
| 3.4 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Another loopy delivery on off, Hafeez keeps it out. |
| 3.5 : N Lyon to Hafeez, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 3.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, In the air... but safe! Hafeez tries to play the paddle sweep but gets a top edge. It goes up in the air towards the backward square leg fielder who runs to his right but does not get to it. A single taken. |
| 4.1 : M Starc to Hafeez, FOUR! Take that! The right-hander is continuing from where he left off. On the shorter side outside off, Hafeez stands tall and punches it through covers for a boundary. |
| 4.2 : M Starc to Hafeez, Misses his radar and bowls it very wide outside off, left alone. |
| 4.3 : M Starc to Hafeez, Good delivery! On a length and around off, straightens a touch. MH blocks it off the back foot. |
| 4.4 : M Starc to Hafeez, Two good deliveries in a row! On a length and on off, defended. |
| 4.5 : M Starc to Hafeez, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 4.6 : M Starc to Hafeez, A little bit of extra bounce there! On a length and around off, Hafeez is squared up as he tries to defend but somehow keeps it out. |
| 5.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Flatter on off, kept out. |
| 5.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 5.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Flatter on off, Imam blocks it. |
| 5.4 : N Lyon to Imam, On the stumps, it has been defended. |
| 5.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Half chance there! We saw Imam defending the balls a little uppishly in the first innings and the same thing happened here. However, unlike the first innings there was a silly point this time. It goes aerially towards him but he fails to react in time. Would have been a brilliant take, had he taken it. Australia need all the chances that come their way to be taken. |
| 5.6 : N Lyon to Imam, On the stumps, Imam is solid in defense. |
| Peter SIddle comes into the attack now. |
| 6.1 : P Siddle to Hafeez, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 6.2 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Fuller in length on middle, the batsman flicks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 6.3 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Loose shot! Slightly short and outside off, Hafeez tries to cut it but gets beaten. |
| 6.4 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Fuller in length on off, it is stroked to mid off. |
| 6.5 : P Siddle to Hafeez, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 6.6 : Siddle to Hafeez, Inside edge! Fuller in length and shaping back in. Hafeez tries to drive but he gets an inside edge onto his pads. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. |
| 7.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Bowls it quicker on off, Imam goes back and defends it. |
| 7.2 : N Lyon to Imam, FOUR! Short, wide and it has been put away. Imam pounces onto the poor delivery and cuts it through point as the ball races away. The lead crosses 300 now. |
| 7.3 : N Lyon to Imam, On the stumps, Imam lunges and keeps it out. |
| 7.4 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 7.5 : N Lyon to Imam, On the shorter side, Imam goes back and works it to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 7.6 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Floats it up on off, Hafeez is solid in defense. |
| 8.1 : P Siddle to Imam, Siddle from around the wicket fires in a good length delivery angling into Imam around off, the southpaw defends it and gets down giving an impression that it kept a bit low. |
| 8.2 : P Siddle to Imam, Similar ball, Imam shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 8.3 : P Siddle to Imam, Dishes this a bit straighter and on the pads of the batsman, Imam flicks it through square leg to get a brace. |
| 8.4 : P Siddle to Imam, Better from Peter as he lands this around a meter before the batsman, Imam blocks this from within the crease. |
| 8.5 : P Siddle to Imam, A tad fuller around off, Imam defends off the front foot. |
| 8.6 : P Siddle to Imam, Errs in line and ends up bowling it down the leg side, the southpaw just tucks it towards fine leg and gets a run. |
| 9.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Flighted and full on middle and off, kept out off the front foot. |
| 9.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Similar delivery but this time Imam goes back to defend it. |
| 9.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Slow loopy delivery on off, Imam lunges forward in defense. |
| 9.4 : N Lyon to Imam, A bit fuller this on off, Imam again comes forward and defends. |
| 9.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Beaten! Lovely bowling from Lyon. He bowls this a bit slower and a bit shorter than full length, Imam comes forward looking to defend but the ball spins away from him beating his outside edge. |
| 9.6 : N Lyon to Imam, A bit shorter this, punched to covers. |
| Jon Holland is brought into the attack. |
| 10.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, Slower and on middle turning into Imam, he goes back and works it with the spin into the square leg region to pick up a single and get off strike. |
| 10.2 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Changes his side and comes from around the wicket to the right-hander. Keeps this a bit short on off and Hafeez punches this to covers to take a single. |
| 10.3 : Jon Holland to Imam, Imam works this full ball on middle down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 10.4 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Slower and shorter outside off this, allows Hafeez to punch it through covers and get off strike. |
| 10.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, Fires this on the leg stump line. The southpaw glances this fine into the leg side to get a single. |
| 10.6 : Jon Holland to Imam, He is a bit too straight and Imam helps himself by flicking it through square leg to get one more run. |
| 11.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Flatter around off, it turns away. Imam goes to cut but the shot is not on. He chops it towards cover-point for a run. |
| 11.2 : N Lyon to Hafeez, This one pitches in the rough outside off and comes back in sharply. Hafeez tries to defend but is hit high on the pads. |
| 11.3 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Fires it on off, MH blocks it out easily. |
| 11.4 : N Lyon to Hafeez, Another offie on off, Hafeez lunges and keeps it out. |
| 11.5 : N Lyon to M Hafeez, Uses his feet and eases it down to long on for a run. |
| 11.6 : N Lyon to Imam, It is on the pads, Imam flicks it fine down the leg side for a run. All too easy for Pakistan at the moment. |
| 12.1 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, The arm ball on off, Hafeez pushes it towards covers. |
| 12.2 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Very full on the pads, the batsman works it to mid-wicket. |
| 12.3 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, Flatter around off, Hafeez plays it onto the ground a little late. |
| 12.4 : Jon Holland to M Hafeez, Loopy ball on off, it is a touch too full. Hafeez times it to covers. |
| 12.5 : Jon Holland to Hafeez, OUT! An excellent catch there by Labuschagne. He showed good reflexes. It was on middle and it turns away and also sticks in the surface. Hafeez tries to play it against the turn which is never a good idea on a turning wicket. The ball takes the leading edge and hits the body of the silly point fielder. Labuschagne there does well to hang onto the ball and then, he falls onto the ground. Something to rejoice for Australia as the centurion of the first innings departs |
| Bilal Asif is the new batsman in. A second nightwatchman of the match for Pakistan. |
| 12.6 : Jon Holland to Asif, Tosses it up outside off, left alone. |
| 13.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Flatter delivery on off, Imam punches it to covers. |
| 13.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Fires it on middle, Imam flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. Lyon is a touch short here. He needs to toss it up a little more. |
| 13.3 : N Lyon to Asif, Like that! Loopy ball on off, Bilal blocks it out. |
| 13.4 : N Lyon to Asif, Another tossed up ball, the batsman lunges and defends. |
| 13.5 : N Lyon to Asif, Flatter around off, goes on with the arm. The batter defends it off the back foot. |
| 13.6 : N Lyon to B Asif, OUT! The move to send the nightwatchman in, has not worked. Two wickets in two overs for Australia. Lyon gets his first. He tosses this up around off, it turns back in sharply. Bilal prods forward and tries to defend but the ball hits the inside edge and goes towards leg slip, Travis Head there takes a sharp catch. |
| Azhar Ali strides out to the center. |
| 14.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, Uses his feet and eases this down to long on for a run. |
| 14.2 : Jon Holland to Ali, Very full on off, Ali jams it out. |
| 14.3 : Jon Holland to Ali, Slower through the air outside off, Ali watches it closely and lets it be. |
| 14.4 : Jon Holland to A Ali, Dances down the track and strokes it towards the cover fielder. |
| 14.5 : Jon Holland to Ali, The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and connects. |
| 14.6 : Jon Holland to Ali, Slower through the air outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to it. |
| 15.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Pitches it on off, Imam pushes it to covers. |
| 15.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Dances down the track and times it to long off and gets to the other end. |
| 15.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Dances down the track again but Lyon fires it wide outside off. Ali reaches out for it and puts bat on ball. |
| 15.4 : N Lyon to Ali, FOUR! Swept and swept fine! Goes down on one knee and sweeps it through backward square leg region and the ball races away. |
| 15.5 : N Lyon to Ali, Bowls it very quick on middle, Ali gets his bat down in time and keeps it out. |
| 15.6 : N Lyon to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. Last over of the day coming up. |
| 16.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They have run through for a single. |
| 0.0 : Review time! An appeal for an LBW against Ali has been turned down. Paine wants it to be referred. Pitching looks to be an issue. |
| 16.2 : Holland to Ali, OUT! Judicious use of the review by Australia as they have struck in the last over of the day. Another failure for Ali. Holland gets his second. This is tossed up around the leg pole. It pitches and then straightens. Ali tries to keep it out but misses. The ball hits him on the front pad and the players appeal. The umpire does not agree. Paine walks up to his bowler and after a chat signals the 'T'. The replays roll in and firstly they confirm that there is no bat. Hawk-Eye |
| End of a great day of a Test match! Australia ended it well but they are still way behind the 8-ball. They headed into Pakistan's second innings after conceding a lead of 280. Wickets were the demand of the hour for them and they have got three of them. However, Pakistan are still on top as they have extended their lead to 325 runs and still have a lot of batting to come. |
| Day 3 started off with Finch and Khawaja milking the Pakistan bowlers. The first session was a wicket-less one for the visitors with the duo putting together a century stand. However, it all changed after the break. From 142 for 0, the Aussies slipped miserably and got bundled out for 202, courtesy Bilal Asif and Mohammad Abbas' magnificent bowling. The pair picked up all the 10 wickets between them with the debutant bagging a 6-fer and the latter finishing with four. |
| Now then, 13 wickets fell today which means the track that appeared to be a road for the first two days has opened up. These are not good signs for Australia as they will be batting last. The hosts won't mind that at all as they already have a big lead in their pocket. Pakistan would now look to add another 100-150 runs and then hope for a repeat performance from their bowlers. What do we have in store for us on Day 4? Join us at 0600 GMT (1000 local) to find out. |
| ... DAY 4, MORNING SESSION ... |
| If the first two days crawled forward at the speed of a snail, yesterday saw this game sprint ahead like a cheetah. Wickets fell like nine pins post the Lunch break on Day 3 with Australia experiencing a sorry collapse. After gaining a massive 280-run lead, Pakistan are in a strong position, even after the loss of 3 wickets. They have the upper hand and would try to bat Australia out of this Test match. The Aussies, on the flip side, will hope to bowl out the hosts as soon as possible and then b |
| Brendon Julian is taking Jon Holland's interview. The spinner expresses his disappointment after Australia got a great start and considers that it wasn't ideal. Admits that as a team they are disappointed with their effort with the bat. States they have got some plans in place for today and will look to execute it. Reckons the wicket has started to spin a bit more from the rough than the first two days. Mentions that the plan is to pick quick wickets and then hope to bat well in the fourth innin |
| The players are on the field. The Pakistan duo of Imam-ul-Haq and Haris Sohail stride out to the center with the former to face the first ball. Let's go... |
| 16.3 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Starts with a tossed up ball on off, Sohail drives it to long on to get off the mark. |
| 16.4 : Jon Holland to Imam, Flighted on off, blocked off the front foot. |
| 16.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, A bit fuller on off, flicked by the southpaw to mid-wicket to get his first run of the day. |
| 16.6 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| Nathan Lyon to bowl from the other end. |
| 17.1 : N Lyon to Imam, The offie starts from around the wicket and lands this on a fuller length on middle and off line, Imam blocks off the front foot. |
| 17.2 : N Lyon to Imam, A bit slower and shorter, Imam flicks it to square leg. |
| 17.3 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 17.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Beaten! That is an excellent ball from Nathan as he gives it a bit more rip, the ball lands on off and spins away sharply to beat Imam's outside edge. |
| 17.5 : N Lyon to Imam, The southpaw lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 17.6 : N Lyon to Imam, Flighted delivery on off, Imam stays back and defends from his crease. |
| 18.1 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Bowls this very full in line with the stumps, kept out off the front foot by Sohail. |
| 18.2 : Jon Holland to H Sohail, Fuller on off, Haris drives it with the turn to long on and gets off strike. |
| 18.3 : Jon Holland to Imam, A bit too full this by Jon as Imam comes forward and smothers the spin. |
| 18.4 : Jon Holland to Imam, Similar ball and defedned off the front foot by Imam. |
| 18.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 18.6 : Jon Holland to Imam, Again a very full delivery to end the over, the southpaw keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 19.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, Tossed up on off, Sohail defends off the front foot. |
| 19.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, He pulls his length back a bit and makes Haris stay back and block it out off the back foot. |
| 19.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Sohail has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 19.4 : N Lyon to H Sohail, Haris reaches to the pitch of the ball and drives it to long on for a single. |
| 19.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Flighted loopy ball on off, Imam blocks it off the front foot. |
| 19.6 : N Lyon to Imam, Shorter and a bit wide of off, Imam punches it to covers. |
| 20.1 : Jon Holland to Sohail, SIX! WOW! Where did that come from? First aggresive intent shown by Pakistan today. He sems to be continuing from where he left off in the first innings. Jon gives this a bit more air and Haris seeing this skips down the track and whacks it over long on with the turn for a maximum. |
| 20.2 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Slower and shorter then full length, Sohail punches this into covers to get off strike. |
| 20.3 : Jon Holland to Imam, Full delivery on the pads, Imam flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 20.4 : Jon Holland to Imam, Imam quickly goes back and pushes it into the cover-point region to get a run. |
| 20.5 : Jon Holland to H Sohail, Fuller and slower ball on middle is driven to mid on. |
| 20.6 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Beaten! Goes for the expansive drive through covers, tries reaching the ball away from his body and misses it completely. Paine also fumbles behind to allow the pair to run through for a bye. |
| 21.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 21.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Sohail gets behind the line of this fuller delivery on off and blocks it. |
| 21.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Tossed up ball on off, turning away. Sohail does well to account for the spin and keep it out. |
| 21.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, A bit shorter in length and it allows the batsman to rock back and punch it through covers to get a brace. |
| 21.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 21.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Shorter in line with the stumps, Sohail flicks it off the back foot into mid-wicket to get a single. |
| 22.1 : Jon Holland to Sohail, A bit flatter on the middle and leg line, Imam flicks it through squar leg to get off strike. |
| 22.2 : Jon Holland to Imam, Is it a drop? Replays show, it is. The reaction of the bowler says that it it just about carried to the man at short mid on. Imam drives this full ball straight, it goes flat and low to Travis Head besides the pitch on the leg side and he cannot hold on to it. Tough chance goes abegging. Aussies need to take these to come back in this match. |
| 22.3 : Jon Holland to Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 22.4 : Jon Holland to Imam, Fuller on middle, flicked into the mid-wicket region for a single. |
| 22.5 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 22.6 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Tossed up ball on off, Sohail comes forward in defense. |
| 23.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Gives it air around off, Imam lunges and keeps it out. |
| 23.2 : N Lyon to Imam, FOUR! Goes inside out and gets the desired result. Imam is quick on his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball and also makes room. He lofts it over covers and the ball goes for a boundary. Moves onto 30 does the opener. |
| 23.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Bowls this one quicker and on middle, Imam tries to defend but the ball goes off the inner half towards square leg for an easy run. |
| 23.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, On the stumps, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 23.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, The batsman delicately works it fine down the leg side. |
| 23.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Fires it on off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 24.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, Once agian uses his feet and flicks it with the turn through square leg for a run. |
| 24.2 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Another loopy ball on off, Sohail prods forward and defends it. |
| 24.3 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Flatter around off, Sohail reaches out to the delivery and keeps it out. |
| 24.4 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Sharp turn! With the ball turning in and so sharply, there should be backward short leg place. That is how Australia got one of their wickets. Holland floats it up outside off, it pitches and spins back in sharply. Sohail tries to defend but the ball goes off the inner half, uppishly through the backward short leg region and towards short fine leg. |
| 24.5 : Jon Holland to Sohail, FOUR! Up and over! Maybe this is the way to play on this surface. Sohail skips down the track to the flighted ball and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. |
| 24.6 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Due to the last delivery, Holland bowls this flatter around off, Sohail stays inside the crease and defends it out. |
| 25.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Tossed up on middle and off, defended off the front foot. |
| 25.2 : N Lyon to Imam, A bit shorter which allows Imam go go back in his crease and punch it to cover-point. |
| 25.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Fuller again in line with the stumps, Imam prods forward in defense. |
| 25.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Shorter gaina and imam again puches this to mid on off the back foot. |
| 25.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Charges down the track looking to block it, does not reach to the pitch of the ball, the ball spins and bopunces to take a slight leading edge and it lobs straight falklinf just short of Nathan. |
| 25.6 : N Lyon to Imam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 26.1 : Jon Holland to Sohail, SIX! BANG! Skips down the track on the very first ball and smashes this over the long on fense to bring up the second biggie of the morning. Sohail doing it well here, he is taking Pakistan to safer shores very quickly. |
| 26.2 : Jon Holland to Sohail, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 26.3 : Jon Holland to Sohail, A bit shorter this, Sohail rocks back and punches it through mid off to get a brace. |
| 26.4 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Fuller and quicker on his pads, flicked to mid-wicket to take a single. |
| 26.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, Drifts down the leg again and Imam turns it into the fine leg region to change strike. Pakistan doing it easy here. |
| 26.6 : Jon Holland to Sohail, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 27.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, Tossed up around middle and off, Haris lunges forward in defense. |
| 27.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Similar ball and an identical defense by Sohail. |
| 27.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, A bit slower this on off, Sohail has to wait a bit longer before blocking it off the front foot. |
| 27.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, Very full on off, kept out easily. |
| 27.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 27.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, A bit shorter this, Sohail goes back to punch it to cover-point where the fielder makes a good diving stop. |
| Mitchell Star is into the attack. |
| 28.1 : M Starc to Imam, Starc starts today with a shorter of a good length ball on off, Imam defends from his crease. |
| 28.2 : M Starc to Imam, Dishes this much fuller and attacking the stumps, Imam drives it crisply to mid off. |
| 28.3 : M Starc to Imam, FOUR! EDGY BOUNDARY! Again a full ball just outsuide off, Imam goes for the cover drive a bit away from his body. The ball though takes the outside edge and flies very low thorugh the vacant first slip region for a boundary. |
| 28.4 : M Starc to Imam, Fast and full on middle, Imam flicks it through square leg to get a single and get off strike. |
| 28.5 : M Starc to Sohail, Lands this on a good length and wide of off, Sohail shoulders arms. |
| 28.6 : M Starc to Sohail, On a good length again, Sohail keeps it out off from within the crease. |
| 29.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Quicker ana bit shorter than full length on midddle and off, Imamgoes back in defense. |
| 29.2 : N Lyon to Imam, Similar length but a bit wide of off this, Imam rocks back and across and cuts it straight to backward point. |
| 29.3 : N Lyon to Imam, Tossed up on middle, Defended off the front foot. with the bat well in front of the pads. |
| 29.4 : N Lyon to Imam, Not that short to go back and play it to the off side but that is exactly what Imam did here. |
| 29.5 : N Lyon to Imam, Much quicker and flatter just outside off, left at the very last moment by the southpaw. |
| 29.6 : N Lyon to Imam, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot back down the ground. |
| 30.1 : M Starc to Sohail, Very full and attacking the stumps, Sohail drives this gently to the fielder at short mid on, positioned just besides the pitch. |
| 30.2 : M Starc to Sohail, Fuller than the previous one this, almost a yorker on middle and off, blocked out off the front foot by Haris. |
| 30.3 : M Starc to Sohail, Better from Starc as he lands this one on a good length around off, Sohail keeps it out from his crease. |
| 30.4 : M Starc to Sohail, On a good length but a bit outside off, driven softly on the up to covers. |
| 30.5 : M Starc to Sohail, Similar line and length but this time Sohail opens the bat face slightly to drive it through cover-point for a couple. |
| 30.6 : M Starc to Sohail, Comes back to a good length around off, Sohail blocks it off the back foot from within his crease. |
| 31.1 : N Lyon to Imam, Skips down the track to this loopy delivery on off and drives this to long on to take the lead to 370 with this single. |
| 31.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Tossed up on middle, Haris lunges forward in defense. |
| 31.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Flighted ball on off, Sohail comes forward to block it out. |
| 31.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, Defended off the front foot by the southpaw presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 31.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, Slower and on off, Sohail leans ahead and defends. |
| 31.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Quicker ball to end the over. The line is outside off which allows Sohail time to leave it watchfully. |
| 32.1 : M Starc to Imam, Fast and full angling into the batsman, the angle though is a bit too much as they ball strays down the leg side, Imam tries flicking it but misses. |
| 32.2 : M Starc to Imam, On a good length around off, well defended off the front foot by the left-handed opener. |
| 32.3 : M Starc to Imam, A bit fuller and on a good length on middle and off, kept out off the front foot by Imam. |
| 32.4 : M Starc to Imam, Immaculate line and length this from the quick left-hand pacer, Imam blocks it coming forward. |
| 32.5 : M Starc to Imam, An identical delivery and a similar defense off the front foot by Imam. |
| 32.6 : M Starc to Imam, Starc bangs this last ball of the over a bit shorter and angling into Imam. The opener swivels well and pulls it through backward square leg to pick up a brace and take this stand now to 47 runs. |
| Travis Head is into the attack. |
| 33.1 : T Head to Sohail, A very full and slow delivery to start off with, Sohail blocks it off the front foot. |
| 33.2 : T Head to Sohail, Similar ball and defends off the front foot by the southpaw. Don't think he will take any undue risk just before the drinks break. |
| 33.3 : T Head to Sohail, Full and straight again, blocked off the front foot again. |
| 33.4 : T Head to Sohail, Very full this in line with the leg stump, Sohail drives it to long on and gets a single. |
| 33.5 : T Head to Imam, Similar ball to Imam this time, he too drives this through mid on to get off strike. |
| 33.6 : T Head to Sohail, FOUR! Drags his length short this time and Sohail picks the length up early, rocks back and pulls it hard through the mid-wicket region to get a boundary off the last ball before drinks. 50-run stand is up now, Pakistan lead by 378! |
| Drinks. Pakistan have marched along well and have swollen their lead to 378 runs without losing any wickets today. They may now look to up the ante a bit and score some quick runs before declaring their innings. Australia have nothing going their way. There is spin on offer but both their tweakers have failed to leave any impact. The dropped catch didn't help their cause either. Things clearly looking glum for them. |
| Change of ends for Nathan Lyon. |
| 34.1 : N Lyon to Imam, A little too much on the leg side, Imam plants his front foot forward and then flicks it through mid-wicket for an easy single. |
| 34.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, Flatter delivery on off, Sohail pushes it to covers. |
| 34.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Slightly shorter around off, Sohail waits for it and then guides it to point. |
| 34.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, On the stumps, HS is solid in defense. |
| 34.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, Another loopy ball on middle, Sohail defends it out. |
| 34.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, Another tossed up ball on off, Sohail blocks it onto the ground. |
| Jon Holland is back on. |
| 35.1 : Jon Holland to Imam, He comes from around the wicket to the left-hander, maybe to create a natural angle away from the batter. Tosses it up around off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 35.2 : Jon Holland to Imam, Imam dances down the track and eases it to long on for a run. 100 up for Pakistan, the lead now is 20 short of 400. |
| 35.3 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Another tossed up ball on off, Sohail blocks it out. |
| 35.4 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Slightly shorter in length, Sohail with the turn works it to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 35.5 : Jon Holland to Imam, Nicely played! It is floated on the pads, Imam tucks it through square leg, it is in the gap in that region and the batsmen get two. |
| 35.6 : Jon Holland to Imam, On middle, Imam gets right behind the line of the delivery and dead bats it. |
| 36.1 : N Lyon to Sohail, Slower through the air around off, Sohail prods forward and blocks it. |
| 36.2 : N Lyon to Sohail, On the stumps, no real sign of any turn as Sohail defends it with utmost ease. |
| 36.3 : N Lyon to Sohail, Again around off, it goes on with the arm. Sohail defends it. |
| 36.4 : N Lyon to Sohail, Flatter on the pads, Sohail with the angle works it to mid-wicket. |
| 36.5 : N Lyon to Sohail, A little too full this time on off, it is driven back to the bowler. |
| 36.6 : N Lyon to Sohail, A dot to end! A maiden by Lyon. He darts it on off, Sohail keeps it out. Not a lot of balls have turned today for Lyon. Maybe due to the pace Lyon is bowling at. |
| Marnus Labuschagne is into the attack. |
| 37.1 : M Labuschagne to Imam, Flatter delivery on the pads, the batsman works it to mid-wicket. |
| 37.2 : M Labuschagne to Imam, Quicker again on the pads, the batsman goes back and works it towards short fine leg. Bowling very quick here is the leg spinner. |
| 37.3 : M Labuschagne to Imam, Good amount of turn there but it is very short outside off, comes back in. Imam pushes it towards covers for a run. |
| 37.4 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Short again on middle, Haris pushes it down to long on and jogs to the other end. |
| 37.5 : M Labuschagne to Imam, Tosses this up but it is on the pads, Imam flicks it through square leg for a single. |
| 37.6 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Another one on the pads, the batsman flicks it towards fine leg for a quick run. |
| 38.1 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Tosses it up on middle, Sohail pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 38.2 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Flicks it fine with the turn through short fine leg for a run. |
| 38.3 : Jon Holland to Imam, Uses his feet and strokes it down to long on for a run. |
| 38.4 : Jon Holland to Sohail, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 38.5 : Jon Holland to Sohail, Sohail flicks it through square leg and gives Imam the strike. |
| 38.6 : Holland to Imam, OUT! Caught and bowled! Imam misses out on consecutive half tons! A soft dismissal there. Imam dances down the track like he has been doing throughout his innings. Does not get to the pitch of the ball though. Holland gets it to land around the rough area outside off and the ball turns back in. Imam tries to push it towards the off side but ends up chipping it back to the bowler who accepts an easy catch. Holland gets his third scalp, ending the 65-run stand. However, the |
| Asad Shafiq is the new man in. |
| 39.1 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Shorter around off, SOhail punches it towards covers. |
| 39.2 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 39.3 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, Floats it up on off, kept out. |
| A huge appeal but it has been turned down! Paine has a chat and then reviews it. Height maybe an issue here. |
| 39.4 : M Labuschagne to Sohail, OUT! Three reds and Sohail has to walk back! Excellent use of the technology. Labuschagne gets his first of this innings and second of the match. He was picked for his batting but he has done a better job with the ball. It is another shorter delivery outside off, Haris goes back to pull but the ball does not bounce as Sohail expected it to. He misses the ball to get hit on the pads. The players let out a loud appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Paine walks upto |
| Babar Azam walks in to bat. |
| 39.5 : M Labuschagne to Azam, Floats it up on middle, kept out. |
| 39.6 : M Labuschagne to Azam, Times it through covers and gets to the other end. |
| 40.1 : Jon Holland to Azam, Jon Holland continues with his tail up and bowls a tossed up ball on off, Babar comes forward in a solid defense. |
| 40.2 : Jon Holland to Azam, Again keeps it full looking for some turn, however he is not able to get the same amount of spin against the right-hander as there is not much rough there, Babar blocks this full ball off the front foot. |
| 40.3 : Jon Holland to Azam, Again a flighted and slower delivery on middle and off, the right-hander taking his time to settle down and keeps it out. |
| 40.4 : Jon Holland to Azam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 40.5 : Jon Holland to Azam, In no hurry is Azam as he comes forward to defend this loopy ball on off off the front foot. |
| 40.6 : Jon Holland to Azam, Tossed up ball in line with the stumps, Babar has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Nathan Lyon is back into the attack. |
| 41.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Plays it well! The ball there bounced and also turns back in, Shafiq with soft hands works it fine down the leg side for a couple. Gets off the mark with that. |
| 41.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Slightly short on off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 41.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Flighted ball around off, Shafiq reaches out for it and keeps it out. |
| 41.4 : N Lyon to Shafiq, With the turn works it towards short leg. |
| 41.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Floats it up on off, Shafiq shows great technique by playing it late, with soft hands and onto the ground. |
| 41.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Now uses his feet to good use as he dances down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 42.1 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, A little short by Holland, the batsman goes back and punches it through covers for a run. |
| 42.2 : Jon Holland to Azam, SIX! All the way! Maybe he has decided to play the attacking way to get back into form. Dances down the track, does not quite get to the pitch of the ball but still goes through with the shot. Connects well and it goes over the long on fence for a biggie. 400 is the lead now. How many more will Pakistan want to add? |
| 42.3 : Jon Holland to Azam, Flighted ball on off, Azam blocks it out. |
| 42.4 : Jon Holland to Azam, Flatter on off, Azam guides it towards point. |
| 42.5 : Jon Holland to Azam, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total. |
| 42.6 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Another loopy ball on off, Shafiq pushes it towards covers for a run. |
| 43.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Well played again! Uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of it, adjusts and with soft hands works it to short leg. |
| 43.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Floats it up around off, Shafiq is solid in defense. |
| 43.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 43.4 : N Lyon to A Shafiq, FOUR! Class! Not easy to play an offie through the off side especially on a turning wicket. Lyon floats it up around off, he bowls it a touch too full. Shafiq reaches out to it and drives it through covers for a boundary. |
| 43.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Gives it air on off, the batsman blocks it out. |
| 43.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Very full on middle, jammed out to mid on. |
| 44.1 : Jon Holland to Azam, Loopy ball on off, it is driven through covers for a run. |
| 44.2 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Another floated ball outside off, it is timed through covers for a run. |
| 44.3 : Jon Holland to B Azam, The batsman has driven it through mid off. |
| 44.4 : Jon Holland to Azam, FOUR! Short and put away! A half-tracker outside off, the batsman cuts it through point and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 44.5 : Jon Holland to Azam, Uses his feet and drives it nicely but finds covers. |
| 44.6 : Jon Holland to Azam, Flatter and outside off, the batsman slaps it through covers for another single. |
| 45.1 : N Lyon to Azam, Keeps it a bit shorter in length, seeing the length Babar goes back and turns it into the leg side. |
| 45.2 : N Lyon to Azam, Tosses this one up just to vary his length, Babar is up to the task as he lunges forward in a rock solid defense. |
| 45.3 : N Lyon to Azam, Gives himself some room Babar seeing this short and wide of off delivery, punches to covers but cannot find the gap. |
| 45.4 : N Lyon to Azam, Tosses this up a bit more Lyon searching for some extra spin, but cannot get it as Azam blocks it off the front foot. |
| 45.5 : N Lyon to Azam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 45.6 : N Lyon to Azam, Flatter and quicker on off, Babar stays back and cleverly opens the face of the bat to use the pace on the ball and guide it through the third man region. The ball though stops before the ropes there and Starc picks it up and throws it back to the keeper where the batsmen have finished running three. |
| 46.1 : Jon Holland to Azam, Dances down the track and tries to work it across the line but gets a soft leading edge towards soft covers. |
| 46.2 : Jon Holland to Azam, On the pads, Azam flicks it fine on the leg side for a run. |
| 46.3 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Shafiq now steps down the track and makes it into a full toss, he eases it down to long on for a brace. Good running! |
| 46.4 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 46.5 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, On the stumps, kept out. |
| 46.6 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Floats it up wide outside off, Shafiq shoulders arms to it. |
| 47.1 : N Lyon to Azam, Continues to give it air and keep it full, Babar quickly skips down the track and drives this thorough mid on for a single. |
| 47.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Well bowled, he sensed the batsman will charge down and pulls his length back, Asad does exactly that, cannot reach to the pitch of the ball and has to lunge a bit more forward to block it out. |
| 47.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Slower and shorter this on middle, turned into the leg side off the back foot. |
| 47.4 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Similar delivery and identical flick shot into the square leg region by Shafiq. |
| 47.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, This time he waits that bit more for the ball to come closer to him and flicks it behind square leg to pick a run and get off strike. |
| 47.6 : N Lyon to Azam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 48.1 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Top edge but safe! Goes for a sweep to a ball which is way outside off. It takes the top edge and lands safe in the short fine leg region for a brace. |
| 48.2 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Gives it air around off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 48.3 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, A low full toss on middle, Shafiq times it down to long on for a single. |
| 48.4 : Jon Holland to Azam, Uses his feet and strokes it towards long on for another single. |
| 48.5 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, FOUR! Lovely shot! Runs now coming thick and fast here! 150 up for Pakistan. The lead is now 430. On the pads, Shafiq goes down on one knee quickly and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 48.6 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Now it is slightly short and outside off, AS guides it towards point. It is in between the two fielders there. Mitchell Marsh at backward point dives full stretch to his right and stops it. Saves three for his side. |
| Marnus Labuschagne comes back into the attack. |
| 49.1 : M Labuschagne to A Shafiq, Flatter again on off, it turns away. Shafiq tries to defend but the ball takes the edge and goes towards point. |
| 49.2 : M Labuschagne to Shafiq, Works it with the angle towards the leg side and hands over the strike to Azam. |
| 49.3 : M Labuschagne to Azam, Floats it up on middle, Azam defends it. |
| 49.4 : M Labuschagne to Azam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 49.5 : M Labuschagne to Azam, Flatter outside off, Azam cuts it through point for a couple. |
| 49.6 : M Labuschagne to Azam, Extra bounce on this one! Flatter and outside off, Azam stands tall and guides it through point for a single to end this session. LUNCH ON DAY 4! |
| This session - 33.4 overs, 110 runs and 2 wickets. Another session which was dominated by the hosts. They managed to score freely and lost only two wickets. The lead is now nearing the 450-run mark and it will be interesting to find out when Pakistan will declare. |
| Imam and Sohail started the day off cautiously but once the two got their eye in, then attacked the bowlers. The former was dropped by Head but then looked very fluent throughout. He was unfortunate to miss out on a half ton by just 2 runs. The opener along with Haris added a 65-run stand which more or less has batted Australia out of the game. The visitors did manage to pick the two set batsmen in quick succession but that came too late. |
| What will we see after the break? Pakistan coming out in the T20 mode, adding a few quick runs and then declaring? Or will they keep on batting to tire out the Australians physically and mentally? Join us in a short while to find out. |
| ... DAY 4, AFTERNOON SESSION ... |
| The umpires and the Aussie team are seen making their way out to the middle as we are about to commence the afternoon session. The Pakistan batting pair of Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq also stride out to the center with the former on strike having taken a single off the last ball before Lunch. Jon Holland to start proceedings for Australia. Let's play... |
| 50.1 : Jon Holland to B Azam, Short and wide of off to start after Lunch, Babar cuts it through point to get things going and gets off strike. |
| 50.2 : Jon Holland to A Shafiq, Errs in length again as he keeps it short and outside off, Asad waits for it to arrive close and cuts with a slightly open face to find the gap at backward point and gets a brace. |
| 50.3 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Beaten! Much better from Holland, he loops it a bit more and lands it full around of, Asad plays at it but misses due to the away spin on the ball to get beaten. |
| 50.4 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Shorter in length this, punched off the backfoot by the batsman. |
| 50.5 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Flighted and fuller, driven to long on to jog across to the other end. |
| 50.6 : Jon Holland to Azam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Nathan Lyon to bowl from the other end. |
| 51.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Shafiq nicely comes forward to defend this full length ball on off. |
| 51.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Shafiq lets the ball come under his bat and then pushes it to covers to take a run and bring the 50-run stand up. |
| 51.3 : N Lyon to Azam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 51.4 : N Lyon to Azam, Stays back to this slower and shorter in length delivery, blocks it out from his crease. |
| 51.5 : N Lyon to Azam, Azam dances down the track but decides to defend as he is not to the pitch of the ball. |
| 51.6 : N Lyon to Azam, Azam is happy to block this tossed up ball on off. Doesn't seem as if Pakistan are eager to score quickly, or should they give themselves some more time? |
| 52.1 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 52.2 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, A bit wide this of off, Shafiq decides to leave it at the very last moment. |
| 52.3 : Jon Holland to A Shafiq, Much fuller ball, and this length is much easier to drive as Shafiq does exactly that towards mid on and gets off strike. |
| 52.4 : Jon Holland to Azam, Skips down the track does Azam and drives it crisply to long on for a single. |
| 52.5 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Shafiq gets back and across to this shorter in length ball on middle and flicks it to mid-wicket to get another run. |
| 52.6 : Jon Holland to Azam, Azam gets down and plays a sweep shot. One run added to the total. |
| 53.1 : N Lyon to Azam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. No rush still. |
| 53.2 : N Lyon to Azam, Goes back to this floated delivery a bit outside off and just softly taps it into the point region to get Shafiq on strike. |
| 53.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 53.4 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Asad dances down the track with some good aggressive intent, does not reach to the pitch of it, decides to defend it. |
| 53.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 53.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Fuller and slower on off, kept out. |
| 54.1 : Jon Holland to Azam, Tossed up and full from over the stumps as he looks to pitch it in the rough outside the leg stump of the right-hander, Babar keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 54.2 : Jon Holland to Azam, Similar line and length, Babar comes forward and opens up a bit to defend it. |
| 54.3 : Jon Holland to Azam, This time he tries to steal a run by turning it into the leg side but finds the fielder at backward square leg. |
| 54.4 : Jon Holland to Azam, Azam tries to play at it but due to the angle from way outside leg he gets hit on the pads. Negative tactics from the Aussies these? |
| 54.5 : Jon Holland to Azam, Very full on leg, the batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 54.6 : Jon Holland to Azam, Bye! Jon fires this way down the leg side to even beat his skipper behind, the batsman take a bye. |
| 55.1 : N Lyon to Azam, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 55.2 : N Lyon to Azam, Leg bye! Wonderful off spin bowling this by Lyon, he flights this one up and lands it full and outside off, turning into Azam who is looking to block it but the ball spins in, misses his bat and hits his pads to get deflected into the point region and they steal a leg bye. |
| 55.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, SIX! BOOM! And the maximum has brought up 3,000 runs for Shafiq at the No. 6 position, becomes the first batsmen to reach this feat for Pakistan. Lyon tosses this up again, Shafiq this time takes on the bait, skips down the track and whacks it through the line and with the spin over the long on fence for a huge one. pakistan starting to press the accelerator. |
| 55.4 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Asad rocks onto the back foot to this shortish ball and punches the ball to covers. |
| 55.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 55.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Tossed up again around off, Shafiq solidly defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 56.1 : Jon Holland to Azam, Flatter on the leg pole, Azam pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 56.2 : Jon Holland to Azam, Uses his feet and eases it through mid on for a run. |
| 56.3 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Brings the reverse sweep out and plays it well. Does not try to hit it too hard, he just guides it through backward point and bags a brace. Shafiq seems to have stepped on the gas here, has shown good attacking intent in the last few overs. |
| 56.4 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Once again makes room but Holland follows him, Shafiq nudges it to short fine leg. |
| 56.5 : Jon Holland to Shafiq, Once again the negative line, pitches it outside leg, gets this one to turn away sharply. Asad is squared up as he tries to defend but manages to keep it out towards point for a run. |
| 56.6 : Jon Holland to Azam, Floats it up on middle, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 57.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Starts with a flighted ball outside off and turning into the right-hander, Asad comes forward in defense. |
| 57.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Stays back to this flatter one around off and punches it straight to the lone fielder inside the ring on the off side at covers. |
| 57.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, FOUR! Reverse sweep has come out now. Shafiq sees the line outside off and the length was also full to play that shot to perfection, it beats the short third man fielder to cross the boundary there. |
| 57.4 : N Lyon to A Shafiq, Very full on middle, flicked to short mid-wicket. |
| 57.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, OUT! Holes out at the deep mid-wicket fence. Pakistan have declared on 181/6. Shafiq tries to get under this full pitch ball on off and whack it over deep mid-wicket from within his crease. He cannot get enough timing and power on it to cross the rope and the man positioned near the boundary line, Mitchell Marsh, takes an easy catch with fingers pointing upwards. |
| Australia have been set a target of 462. A massive task ahead of them. Pakistan entered into the third innings with a huge lead of 280. They did lose 3 quick wickets yesterday but the 65-run partnership between Imam and Sohail took their lead close to 400 before the two fell in quick succession. Azam and Shafiq then added another handy stand, 71 to be precise, to take it past 450. The Pakistan side did not bat for long after the break. They looked for some quick runs, got them through Asad Shafi |
| What do Australia have to do now? They have around 137 overs to bat out on a wicket which is turning and bouncing. Also, looking at their track record against spin in recent times this is surely not going to be easy. They will have to take it session by session and their first test will be to battle out today's day with not much damage. Pakistan on the flip side, will rely on their spinners to do the damage for them. Sarfraz will want a repeat of their first innings performance. Will they run th |
| 0.1 : M Abbas to Finch, Starts with a good length ball just outside off, it keeps moving further away on hitting the deck. Finch is happy to let it go. |
| 0.2 : M Abbas to Finch, Straighter this attacking the stumps, may be a bit too straight as Finch flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 0.3 : M Abbas to Finch, This is better from Abbas, it is attacking the middle stump line on a good length. Finch defends with a dead straight bat off the front foot. |
| 0.4 : Abbas to Finch, Huge appeal for LBW, turned down. Abbas is on the money from the very first ball. He dishes this good length ball around off. It is on a line and length which confuses the batsman whether to come forward or stay back. Due to this Finch tries to block it from his crease. The ball pitches and nips back in to rap the right-hander on the front pad. Pakistan go up in a huge appeal but the umpire shakes his head. The angle might just take it down leg. |
| 0.5 : M Abbas to Finch, Close again, Abbas fires this on a fuller length attacking the stumps, Finch again looking to defend with his bat in front of his pads but gets an inside edge towards the deep square e leg region for a brace. |
| 0.6 : M Abbas to Finch, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Mohammad Hafeez to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Hafeez bowls it a bit quicker and on middle and off, Khawaja decides to go back and keep it out. |
| 1.2 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Similar ball, Khawaja again prefers to stay back and see what the ball is doing after landing before blocking it. |
| 1.3 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 1.4 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Charges down the track does Khawaja and almost yorks himself as he mistimes times it back to Hafeez. |
| 1.5 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, FOUR! Swept fine and fine enough for the first boundary off the fourth innings. A very full and quick ball outside leg, Khawaja does really well to get some bat on it and sweep it fine of the fielder at short fine leg to cross the boundary. |
| 1.6 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 2.1 : M Abbas to Finch, A bit shorter in length delivery to start his second over, the line is outside off and that means Finch rocks back and punches it to covers. |
| 2.2 : M Abbas to Finch, FOUR! Fuller and a bit more width for the attacking opener to play with, he drives this through the covers, standing almost a foot outside his crease may be helping him to counter some movement. The connection on that drive is good enough as the ball crosses the boundary even though the fielder chased it hard and tries his best to stop it. |
| 2.3 : M Abbas to Finch, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 2.4 : M Abbas to Finch, Finch has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 2.5 : M Abbas to Finch, Comes on the front foot to this fuller ball on off, not much movement on offer for the pacer, Finch keeps it out easily. |
| 2.6 : M Abbas to Finch, Aaron shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 3.1 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, FOUR! Cut and cut handsomely. Usman rocks back and across as soon as he sees the ball a bit shorter in length and outside off, he cbrings out the cut and finds the geap in the point region for the second boundary of the innings. |
| 3.2 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, A bit short again, Hafeez needs to give it a bit more air if he wants to extract anything from the wicket with this hard new ball, Khawaja punches this off the back foot to covers. |
| 3.3 : M Hafeez to Finch, Usman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. They pick up a single as the ball rolls into the gap at point. |
| 3.4 : M Hafeez to Finch, Gets to the pitch of the ball and drives this through mid on for a single. |
| 3.5 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Now goes back to this slightly shorter in length ball on off, pushes this into the cover-point region. |
| 3.6 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 4.1 : M Abbas to Finch, Attacking that corridor of uncertainty, exactly whre the batsmen do not want the nut to land. Finch though does well to keep it out. |
| 4.2 : M Abbas to Finch, Another similar delivery probinmg away on thaat spot there, Finch is good enough to block it from within his crease. |
| 4.3 : M Abbas to Finch, Finch has defended this good length ball on off by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 4.4 : M Abbas to Finch, Solid defense from Finch again. Looks solid the right-hander, may be the confidence from the first innings is helping him in the second. |
| 4.5 : M Abbas to Finch, A bit shorter this on middle and off, Finch plays it through mid-wicket. |
| 4.6 : M Abbas to Finch, FOUR! Ill directed full length delivery, way down the leg side. Maybe he went for the in-dipping yorker on the last ball of the over with an intent to take the batsman by surprise, however he strays this down the leg side and Finch tries to flick it and gets sufficient amount of bat on it to run it down to the fine leg region for a boundary. |
| Yasir Shah is brought into the attack. The leggie did not take a wicket in the first innings but one would expect him to be amongst them in this one. |
| 5.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tosses it up around off, the batter defends it out. |
| 5.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Dances down the wicket and strokes it past Yasir towards mid off. |
| 5.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, FOUR! Innovation and it has come off really well. How controlled was that? Gets into position early and plays the reverse sweep through backward point and the ball races away. |
| 5.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Gives it air outside off, turning back in. Khawaja blocks it. |
| 5.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Now with the turn works it to short leg. |
| 5.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Khawaja uses his feet again and works it to mid-wicket. So that ends Yasir's first. Quite easily he was negotiated, the left-hander did not look troubled as the ball was skidding onto the bat. |
| 6.1 : M Abbas to Finch, Good delivery first up as he continues hitting the area of uncertainty. Finch blocks out from the crease. |
| 6.2 : M Abbas to Finch, Bouncer! Bangs it in short Abbas and keeps it in line with the stumps, Finch is happy to pull it to deep square leg all along the ground and gets off strike. |
| 6.3 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Way wide of off to entice the southpaw to play at it, left alone. |
| 6.4 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Attacks the stumps this time and lands it on a good length, Khawaja blocks it onto the leg side. |
| 6.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Similar length but on off this, Usman is happy to tap it from his crease to covers. Not much there for the pacers, apart from extreme heat. |
| 6.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, A fuller length ball is driven straight to mid off. |
| 7.1 : Y Shah to Finch, Well bowled! Tosses it up around off, it pitches and turns away. Finch lets it be. |
| 7.2 : Y Shah to Finch, Slower through the air on middle, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 7.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Another loopy delivery on the stumps, Finch blocks it out easily. |
| 7.4 : Y Shah to Finch, Flighted ball around off, Finch easily defends it. Yasir maybe bowling a little too full here. |
| 7.5 : Y Shah to Finch, Again, slgihtly fuller than he should be. Finch lunges and defends it onto the ground. |
| 7.6 : Y Shah to A Finch, Ends the over with a low full toss on middle, Finch eases it down to long on for a run. |
| Wahab Riaz gets a chance to roll his arm over. |
| 8.1 : W Riaz to Finch, Starts from over the wicket and dishes out a full and wide of off delivery. Finch being Finch goes after it and stroke it horugh covers. The fielder there has made a good stop diving to his left. |
| 8.2 : W Riaz to Finch, A bit too wide of off this for even Finch to go after it. |
| 8.3 : W Riaz to Finch, Good length delivery on off, pushes to covers. |
| 8.4 : W Riaz to Finch, FOUR! Class written all over that shot! Riaz again fires a very full ball outside off, it's just that bit overpitched. Allows Finch to drive it all along the ground thorugh the cover region for a cracking boundary. |
| 8.5 : W Riaz to Finch, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 8.6 : W Riaz to Finch, Keeps it on a good length but on the leg stump line. It would be difficult for him to get an LBW decision in his favor from this angle. Finch keeps it out from the crease. |
| 9.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Reverse sweep on the very first ball of a new over from the leggie. He keeps it full and outsuide off. Usman goes for the reverse sweep and misses to get hit on the body. |
| 9.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 9.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Brings out the conventional sweep this time, connects it well through square leg to get off strike. |
| 9.4 : Y Shah to Finch, Errs in length this time as he drags it short turning away. Finch rocks back and punches it to covers for a run. |
| 9.5 : Y Shah to U Khawaja, Very full ball outside off, targeting the rough out there. It is too full though as Khawaja comes forward and smothers the spin. |
| 9.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, A slower ans shorter this, allows the southpaw to play it through point and get a single to retain strike. |
| 10.1 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Dishes a short and wide ball outside off. Khawaja goes for the cut. Mistimes it as it seems to have hit the bottom part of his bat. |
| 10.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, On a good length coming back into the southpaw with the angle. Khawaja gets inside the line of the delivery and plays it through mid-wicket. |
| 10.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 10.4 : W Riaz to U Khawaja, Similar delivery to the first one. Khawaja again cuts. The timing is better this time but he cannot find the gap, straight to point. |
| 10.5 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Fuller in length on the pads, the batsman flicks it towards fine leg and gets to the other end. |
| 10.6 : W Riaz to Finch, On the pads again, Finch flicks it through square leg for a single. |
| Drinks. So a decent start by the Aussie openers. They have looked pretty comfortable handling the new hard ball. It will be interesting to see how they cope when spin will be introduced from both ends. Pakistan will continue to attack and pick up some quick wickets after the break. |
| Bilal Asif is into the attack. The star of the first innings is brought on. Can he do something similar? |
| 11.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Starts off with a loopy ball around off, it pitches and then turns a touch. Khawaja defends it. |
| 11.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Another one which is tossed up but slightly short. Khawaja cuts it towards point. |
| 11.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, A little too full so the turn is out of contention. The batsman strokes it through covers for a run. |
| 11.4 : B Asif to Finch, On the pads, Finch tucks it around the corner for a run. |
| 11.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Flatter around off, the batsman guides it to point. |
| 11.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, A good delivery to end the over! Bilal floats it up on off, it has been kept out. So not a lot of purchase off the surface for him as well. Maybe because the ball is a touch new. |
| Yasir Shah is back on. Change of ends for him. |
| 12.1 : Y Shah to Finch, Very full on middle, Finch james it out. |
| 12.2 : Y Shah to Finch, Gives it a nice loop around off, Finch lunges and defends it onto the ground. |
| 12.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Cracked but finds the fielder at covers! Yasir tosses it up wanting Finch to go over the top. Aaron does go hard at it but hits it along the ground towards covers. |
| 12.4 : Y Shah to Finch, Another loopy one on off, Finch is happy to defend it out. |
| 12.5 : Y Shah to Finch, Eases it down to long off for a run. |
| 12.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Shorter in length, Khawaja goes back and keeps it out. Batting seems easy out there at the moment. Not a lot of turn, no extra bounce. Both the openers are looking well-settled. |
| 13.1 : B Asif to Finch, Tosses it up on the pads, Finch tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 13.2 : B Asif to Finch, Tossed up again, it has been blocked out again. |
| 13.3 : B Asif to Finch, Strokes it with the turn to the man at mid on. |
| 13.4 : B Asif to Finch, Flighted ball around off, it turns back in. Finch tries to defend but the ball goes off the inner half towards short leg. |
| 13.5 : B Asif to Finch, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 13.6 : B Asif to Finch, Gives it a nice loop around off, Finch lunges and blocks it onto the ground. |
| 14.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Flatter around off, the batsman goes back and keeps it out. |
| 14.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Connects well with the reverse sweep but there is a man in the deep point region. A single. |
| 14.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Down the leg side, Finch flicks it towards fine leg for three. |
| 14.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Sharp turn there! Floats it up outside off, it pitches and comes back in. Khawaja does well to get outside the line of off and he tries to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 14.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Brings out the sweep shot but mistimes it towards deep square leg for a run. Actually it was off the body as the umpire has signaled a leg bye. |
| 14.6 : Y Shah to Finch, Nice shot! Floats it full and outside off, Finch strokes it through covers and the batsmen bags a brace. |
| 15.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, It is floated up outside off, a similar delivery to which Marsh got out to. Khawaja goes for the drive but is beaten by the extra bounce. |
| 15.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, BEATEN! A needless shot that from Khawaja. It is short and outside off, bowled a touch quicker. Khawaja tries to cut but once again is beaten by the extra bounce. |
| 15.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, On the stumps, UK gets right behind the line of the ball and blocks it out. |
| 15.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 15.5 : B Asif to U Khawaja, Gives it nice amount of air around off, Khawaja pushes it to covers. |
| 15.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Outside off, left alone. Another over negotiated with ease. |
| 16.1 : Y Shah to Finch, Flighted and full delivery on off, Finch comes forward in defense. |
| 16.2 : Y Shah to Finch, They will get such balls to score the runs . Hence there is no need to play shots off the good balls. Finch goes back to this shorter delivery outside off. Punches this through cover-point for a single. |
| 16.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, FOUR! Some aggression from the southpaw. He dances down the track to this loopy delivery on middle and off turning into him. Does not quite get to the pitch of the ball but still goes through with the shot. Whacks it with the spin through mid-wicket and has enough gas on it to crass the boundary there. Good this from the Aussies as the 50-run opening stand comes up. |
| 16.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Reverse sweeps this time through the point region for a single. Khawaja bringing all the shots out from his bag. Needs to be careful though, there is rough just where the ball is landing. |
| 16.5 : Y Shah to Finch, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 16.6 : Y Shah to Finch, Aaron has played that full length ball off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 17.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Tosses it up outside off, Khawaja does the right thing by letting it go. |
| 17.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, On the shorter side, UK goes back and cuts it towards point. Shah there dives to his left and makes a good stop. Can't stop the run though. |
| 17.3 : B Asif to Finch, Flatter and shorter on off, Finch keeps it out. |
| 17.4 : B Asif to Finch, On the shorter side, Finch goes back and punches it to the bowler. |
| 17.5 : B Asif to Finch, Swept nicely! It is down the leg side, Finch sweeps it fine and takes two. |
| 17.6 : B Asif to Finch, A little turn but the line is wrong. It is down the leg side, Finch once again nudges it fine down the leg side and the batsmen run two. |
| 18.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, With the turn, Khawaja flicks it through square leg for a run. |
| 18.2 : Y Shah to Finch, Floats it up on off, Finch lunges and blocks it. |
| 18.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Good leave! Yasir bowls a loopy ball around off, Finch goes back, covers his off pole, sees the ball is turning away and then leaves it. |
| 18.4 : Y Shah to Finch, A little too full now and Finch strokes it down to long on for a run. |
| 18.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Flighted ball outside off, UK with the turn works it around the corner for a run. |
| 18.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Close shave! Yasir floats it up outside off, it pitches and turns back in. Khawaja tries to defend but the ball goes off the inner half, uppishly towards the backward square leg region. |
| 19.1 : B Asif to Finch, From around the wicket comes Bilal. He tosses it up around off, Finch shuffles across and works it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 19.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Another tossed up ball around off, it is stroked to covers. |
| 19.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, Bowls it flatter around off, UK defends it off the back foot. |
| 19.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, FOUR! Nice and late! Khawaja rocks back quickly, there is width on offer outside off not a lot but enough for UK to cut it, very late and through backward point for a boundary. He moves onto 29. |
| 19.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Loopy ball around off, Khawaja keeps it out. |
| 19.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 20.1 : Y Shah to Finch, Tosses it up on middle, Finch defends it. |
| 20.2 : Y Shah to Finch, Another loopy ball on off, it is blocked out. |
| 20.3 : Y Shah to Finch, Quicker and shorter outside off, Finch finds the man at covers with the cut. |
| 20.4 : Y Shah to Finch, The googly, one delivery which he bowls very rarely. Finch lunges and defends it. |
| 20.5 : Y Shah to Finch, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 20.6 : Y Shah to Finch, Very full on middle, it is stroked down to long on for a run. |
| 21.1 : B Asif to Finch, Another delivery which is tossed up around off, it has been defended. |
| 21.2 : B Asif to Finch, Too easy, not a lot of spin, no bounce. Finch gets onto the front foot and defends it. |
| 21.3 : B Asif to Finch, Slightly shorter on the pads, Finch tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 21.4 : B Asif to Finch, FOUR! Moves onto one short of 40. It is on the pads, Finch sweeps it fine down the leg side and bags another boundary. |
| 21.5 : B Asif to Finch, Another floaty delivery around off, the batsman blocks it. |
| 21.6 : B Asif to Finch, On the pads, Finch pads it away. |
| 22.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Goes for another reverse sweep, this time though he does not get it off the middle and it goes through covers for a brace. |
| 22.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Changes to over the wicket and bowls it around off, it is kept out towards cover for a run. |
| 22.3 : Y Shah to Finch, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 22.4 : Y Shah to Finch, Loopy ball on off, it has been kept out. |
| 22.5 : Y Shah to Finch, Flatter on off, Finch defends it onto the ground. Last ball of the session coming up... |
| 22.6 : Y Shah to Finch, And it has been played out, like most of the balls in this session, EASILY! Finch goes back and defends it. TEA ON DAY 4! |
| Australia enter Tea without any damage. As we mentioned earlier that they will have to take it session by session and they have managed to battle out one. Post Lunch, Pakistan decided to declare after adding some quick runs. The hosts then had around an hour and a half to go at the Aussie batters but their bowlers were negotiated easily. Finch and Khawaja have provided another decent start. |
| The Aussies though are still a long way behind and the two need to continue. Pakistan, on the other hand, will want to break this stand as soon as possible. The wicket is not assisting the bowlers a lot but the final session is the one where most of the wickets have fallen and the hosts will hope for the same. Join us to find out what will happen. |
| ... DAY 4, FINAL SESSION ... |
| We are set to get the final session of the day underway as the umpires followed by the Pakistan players are seen making their way to the middle. The unbeaten Aussie opening pair of Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja too stride out to the center with the latter taking strike. Mohammad Abbas to start the proceedings post Tea. 24 overs remain in the day's play however, they will play till 1700 local (1300 GMT). |
| 23.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Starts the session from around the wicket and lands this on a good length around off, Usman blocks it from his crease. |
| 23.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 23.3 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Gets behind the line of this good length ball on off and plays it to covers. |
| 23.4 : M Abbas to Khawaja, FOUR! Fantastic flick! Abbas fires this a bit full but angles it into Khawaja, targeting his pads. Usman flicks it beautifully through square leg for a boundary. |
| 23.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Beaten! Good ball! He dishes this good length ball around off from around the wicket with an inward angle into the batter. Khawaja looking to play at it gets beaten as the ball lands around off and straightens just that wee bit to beat the southpaw's outside edge. |
| 23.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| Wahab Riaz now comes into the attack. |
| 24.1 : W Riaz to Finch, Wahab starts from over the wicket and lands this good length ball in line with the stumps. Finch flicks it to mid-wicket with a wristy shot. |
| 24.2 : W Riaz to Finch, Aaron has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 24.3 : W Riaz to Finch, Keeping it tight here, Wahab. He again targets that corridor around off. Finch though has his eye in now and blocks it easily under his eyes. |
| 24.4 : W Riaz to Finch, The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman. |
| 24.5 : W Riaz to Finch, FOUR! In the slot and driven for four! Looks like these two will continue playing their natural game. The right-hander goes after a full length ball wide of off. Makes lovely connection and the ball races across the cover boundary. |
| 24.6 : W Riaz to Finch, Finch rocks onto the backfoot and punches the ball to covers. |
| 25.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Marginally short of a good length and outside off. Usman stays back and steers it into the point region to pick up a single. |
| 25.2 : M Abbas to Finch, Shot and stop! Finch crashes this short and wide of off delivery crisply. Imam at point dives well to his right to make a one-handed save and saves four runs. |
| 25.3 : M Abbas to Finch, A bit shorter in length this around off, Finch rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball to cover-point. |
| 25.4 : M Abbas to Finch, A bit straighter this from Abbas as he strays on the batsman pads. Aaron gets on his toes and flicks it through mid-wicket to change strike. |
| 25.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Khawaja shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 25.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, A bit shorter of a good length. Not much movement as Finch goes back and keeps it out. |
| 26.1 : W Riaz to Finch, First ball of the over is angling into his body from over the wicket. Aaron flicks it off the back foot but straight to square leg. |
| 26.2 : W Riaz to Finch, Better and fuller from Wahab, around off and angling further away. Finch does well to account for the angle and blocks it off the front foot. |
| 26.3 : W Riaz to Finch, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 26.4 : W Riaz to Finch, Beaten! Lovely, lovely delivery from Riaz. Again lands it in the similar area around off but this time the nut hits the deck and moves further away from Finch. Aaron looking to tentatively push at it is beaten. This is good from Wahab as he is extracting something from this placid pitch. |
| 26.5 : W Riaz to Finch, Straighter delivery on the pads, Finch flicks it through square leg to get a single. |
| 26.6 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Almost chopped on! Short and wide this outside off, Usman goes for the cut but gets a bottom edge for no runs. No need to manufacture shots, this was not that wide to cut. |
| 27.1 : M Abbas to Finch, Punch from Finch. He rocks back and punches this shortish delivery around off through the cover-point region. The fielder at extra cover gives it a good chase, dives and has pulled the ball back in play before it crosses the rope. The batsman get three. |
| 27.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 27.3 : M Abbas to Khawaja, A good length ball around off, with an inward angle. Khawaja blocks from his crease. |
| 27.4 : M Abbas to U Khawaja, Fuller this and a bit outside off, Usman leans forward and drives it to mid off. |
| 27.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 27.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Wide of off, the batsman shoulders arms. |
| 28.1 : W Riaz to Finch, Starts with a full length delivery around off and angling further away. Finch does well to defend it right under his eyes. |
| 28.2 : W Riaz to Finch, Errs in line and strays on the pads. Finch flicks it to fine leg for a single. |
| 28.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Marginally shorter than good length around off. Khawaja, with his natural attacking instinct, goes after it and punches it to covers. |
| 28.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Completely missing his radar here Wahab. He fires this very full and down the leg side. Sarfraz does well to stop it from going behind him. |
| 28.5 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 28.6 : W Riaz to Khawaja, A similar ball around off. Finch defends it from the crease. The pair will look to end the day's play without any damage. |
| 29.1 : M Abbas to Finch, Full length ball around off angling away from Finch, Aaron comes forward and drives it to mid off. |
| 29.2 : M Abbas to Finch, Very full again attacking the stumps. Finch though looking to play it straight is early into the shot but manages to keep it down. Replays show it was an off cutter from Abbas. |
| 29.3 : M Abbas to Finch, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| Finch is given out lbw. Review taken. The batsman in question is Aaron Finch. Looks very close. Only some bat on it can save him. |
| 29.4 : Abbas to Finch, OUT! REVIEW LOST! An in-dipper from Abbas, the one delivery he is an expert of. Lands this one around off and on a good length. Finch looks to play at it from the crease. The ball hits the deck and deviates in to miss his inside edge and raps his front pad. The Pakistani players go up in a huge appeal and the umpire immediately raises his finger. Finch after some though and a small chat with Khawaja signals the 'T'. Replays show that it hit the pads in line and it is hittin |
| Shaun Marsh is the new batsman. |
| 29.5 : M Abbas to Marsh, The southpaw has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 29.6 : M Abbas to Marsh, OUT! And 87 strikes twice! two in the over and Pakistan are roaring loud now. very very loose this from Marsh. Abbas dishes this on on a good length around off from around the wicket. The ball lands and nips away a bit to take the batsman's faint outside edge and into Sarfraz's mitts. He throws the ball in the air in joy and they have 2, pretty early. |
| Out walks Mitchell Marsh with Australia once again slipping after a solid beginning. |
| 30.1 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Great delivery to start the over. Angles in a full ball on off, Khawaja does well to block it at the last minute. |
| 30.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Certainly it's reversing. Wahab serves it on a length around off, curling back in, Khawaja does well to defend it from the crease. |
| 30.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 30.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Still on 87 are the Aussies. Full delivery around off with an inward angle into the southpaw. Khawaja blocks it solidly onto the ground. |
| 30.5 : W Riaz to Khawaja, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 30.6 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Ends the over with a very full and straihggt ball attacking the stumps. Khawaja defends it under his eyes. |
| 31.1 : M Abbas to Marsh, JUST SHORT! Would have been a stunning catch if it would have carried and if he would have caught it. An in-dipper again from Abbas in line with the stumps. Mitchell flicks it upplishly towards mid-wicket. Hafeez positioned there dives low to his right. Replays later show that the ball falls just short of him. Well tried though. |
| 31.2 : M Abbas to Marsh, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 31.3 : M Abbas to Marsh, Defended off the back foot by Marsh solidly under his eyes. |
| Review taken for an LBW decision. The man in question is Mitchell Marsh. |
| 31.4 : M Abbas to Marsh, OUT! What. A. Review. Fantastic stuff from Pakistan. And it is still - 87. Abbas keeps it a bit fuller than good length. It has a inward movement to it. It lands and nips in further beaten the forward push of Mitchell, rapping him on the pads. Pakistan appeal but the umpire declines it. Seems not out to the naked eye but Sarfraz has different ideas. He chats with the bowler and his players and decides to go for the review. Replay show that the impact is in line as expecte |
| Travis Head comes in to bat. |
| 31.5 : M Abbas to Head, Leg bye! Abbas lands this a bit shorter than good length angling into Head, Travis tries to put bat to ball but misses to get rapped on the thigh pad. |
| 31.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 32.1 : W Riaz to Head, Good length delivery on off, Head gets behind the line and blocks it from the back foot. |
| 32.2 : W Riaz to Head, Angling into the batsman, Head keeps it out off his pads to the on side. |
| 32.3 : W Riaz to Head, Some swing in the air and movement off the deck as well. It pitches on middle and goes down, Head flicks it off his pads but finds the mid-wicket fielder. |
| Appeal for an lbw, turned down. Sarfraz has a chat with his bowler and then goes for the review. Looks to be missing leg. Let's see... |
| 32.4 : W Riaz to Head, Not out! It indeed is missing leg. Wahab gets another delivery to move back in sharply from around middle and leg. Head leans across while attempting to flick but fails to put bat on ball. He is thudded on the pads, they appeal but the umpire remains unmoved. Sarfraz has a chat with his bowler and then goes for the DRS. The replays roll in and confirms that it's missing leg by a fair margin. |
| 32.5 : W Riaz to Head, Good length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 32.6 : W Riaz to Head, A touch short and on off, it's punched off the back foot to covers. End of a probing over by Wahab. |
| 33.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. Terrific line and length from Abbas. He has really impressed once again. |
| 33.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Serves it in the channel outside off, Khawaja watches the line closely before making the leave. |
| 33.3 : M Abbas to U Khawaja, Drops it full and outside off, Khawaja walks down the track and pushes it to covers. The fielder quickly picks it up and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Sarfraz fails to back it up and they cross for a run. |
| 33.4 : M Abbas to Head, In the channel outside off, shaping away, Head shoulders arms. Still on a duck. |
| 33.5 : M Abbas to Head, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 33.6 : M Abbas to Head, Lands it on a good length outside off and gets it to shape back in a bit. Head is back footed in defense and keeps it out off the inside half of the bat. |
| Drinks. Fantastic hour of play for the home team. They have managed to take three big Aussie wickets and will look to make further inroads before end of play today. The Aussies on the other hand, will be keen on not giving any more wickets away. |
| Yasir Shah comes into the attack. |
| 34.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up ball around off spinning in. Khawaja lunges forward in defense. |
| 34.2 : Y Shah to U Khawaja, A bit outside off and shorter than full length this, Khawaja looks to play at it but gets a thick outside edge into the backward point region. They cross over for a single. |
| 34.3 : Y Shah to Head, Flighted ball on middle, it lands and turns further to miss Head and goes down the leg side. Sarfraz does well to stop it. |
| 34.4 : Y Shah to Head, Driven through mid-on by the batsman. |
| 34.5 : Y Shah to Head, Fuller ball on off, Head leans forward and across and flicks it through square leg to get off the mark in Test match cricket. |
| 34.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, The southpaw has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 35.1 : M Abbas to Head, FOUR! Cracked! A short and wide ball outside off and Head cuts it fiercely through the point region for a cracker of a boundary. He looks in a nice frame of mind as he earns his first boundary in Test cricket. |
| 35.2 : M Abbas to Head, A bit shorter in length, tapped towards the point region. |
| 35.3 : M Abbas to Head, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 35.4 : M Abbas to Head, Keeps it in line with the stumps and pulls his length back a bit. Head stands back and defends it. |
| 35.5 : M Abbas to T Head, A good length delivery this angling into the batsman's body, Head flicks this through mid-wicket for a single. They think of a second but rightly decide against it. |
| 35.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Khawaja walks down the track and and across. He plays a walking defense to the good length ball around off. Interesting tactics by the southpaw to get the bowler off his line and length. |
| 36.1 : Y Shah to Head, Slower and a bit shorter this outside off and spinning in sharply, Head some how manages to keep it out off the back foot. |
| 36.2 : Y Shah to Head, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 36.3 : Y Shah to Head, Goes for the sweep to this full length ball outside off. The ball lands and bounces more than the batsman expected and this results in Head getting rapped on the pads, out the line of off. |
| 36.4 : Y Shah to Head, This time he gets the paddle sweep right. It can be a risky shot though with the leg slip in place. The ball flies past the right of that man there and the pair come back for a brace. |
| 36.5 : Y Shah to Head, Fuller and slower in line with the stumps, heads leans across and flicks it through square leg to get off strike. |
| 36.6 : Y Shah to Head, Similar ball and head works it into the leg side with the spin. |
| Bilal Asif comes into the attack. |
| 37.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Goes on the back foot and works it against the spin through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 37.2 : B Asif to Head, Edgy! Poor stuff from the debutant. Asif gets it to spin away from outside off. Head needlessly chases and fiddles at it. Gets an inside edge past the second slip fielder for a couple of runs. |
| 37.3 : B Asif to T Head, Once again Head is looking iffy against the spinners. Very indecisive whether to play or leave. At the very last moment he jabs it down in front of the slip cordon. |
| 37.4 : B Asif to Head, FOUR! That's a much better way to play. He advances down the track to reach the pitch of the delivery and then drills his drive through covers for a cracking boundary. |
| 37.5 : B Asif to Head, Floated and on off, Head has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 37.6 : B Asif to Head, Flatter and shorter on off, punched from the back foot but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 38.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Loopy delivery on off, Khawaja skips down the track and drives it back to Yasir. |
| 38.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Reserve sweep time, good connection but straight to short third man. |
| 38.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Much fuller and in line with the stumps, Khawaja strokes it with the spin to long on and gets a single. |
| 38.4 : Y Shah to Head, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 38.5 : Y Shah to Head, Similar pace and line but the length is a bit shorter. Seeing this Head goes back and turns it into the leg side. |
| 38.6 : Y Shah to Head, Very full outside off, Head gets down on one knee looking to sweep but misses. The ball goes under his bat, hits Sarfraz's pads and goes straight to first slip. No damage done. |
| 39.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 39.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Marginally shorter in length, Khawaja goes back in defense. |
| 39.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, The southpaw lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 39.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Similar delivery and left alone again by Usman. |
| 39.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Khawaja has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 39.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Khawaja watchfully defends this fuller ball by lunging forward and smothering the spin. |
| 40.1 : Y Shah to Head, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 40.2 : Y Shah to T Head, FOUR! Head finding his feet in Test cricket. Yasir bowls a long hop and lands it very short on off. Head gets back and across quickly to pull it through square leg for a confidence-boosting boundary. |
| 40.3 : Y Shah to Head, This one is a bit wide of off, and full in length. Head dances down the track, looking to defend but gets rapped on the pads. |
| 40.4 : Y Shah to T Head, Again skips down the track and gets to the pitch of the ball this time. Then caresses the drive through covers to get a brace. |
| 40.5 : Y Shah to Head, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 40.6 : Y Shah to Head, A bit shorter in length spinning into Head, he gets across the line and flicks it through square leg to get a single. |
| 41.1 : B Asif to Head, Flighted ball outside off, Head has nothing to do with it. |
| 41.2 : B Asif to Head, Travis has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 41.3 : B Asif to Head, Shorter in length and punched into the cover region by Head. |
| 41.4 : B Asif to Head, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 41.5 : B Asif to Head, Looking good here the debutant. He reads the length quickly seeing the length a bit short and punches it through covers for a single. |
| 41.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Full and way outside off, Khawaja goes for the sweep but fails to connect it. |
| 42.1 : Y Shah to Head, Full and flighted around off, Head sweeps it firmly but Babar at leg slip makes a good stop. |
| 42.2 : Y Shah to Head, Flighted and wide outside off, Head allows it through safely. |
| 42.3 : Y Shah to Head, Jumps out of the crease this time and then defends it with a straight bat. |
| 42.4 : Y Shah to Head, Allows the ball to spin back in from outside off and then defends it from the crease to mid-wicket. |
| 42.5 : Y Shah to Head, Tossed up ball outside the off stump, turning back in, Head moves away from the line and then tries to sweep. Misses to get hit on the pads but the impact is well wide outside off. The ball rolls towards backward point and they steal a leg bye. |
| 42.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Flighted and full outside off, turning back in, Khawaja skips down the track to smother the spin and defends it down. |
| 43.1 : B Asif to Head, FOUR! Good start to the over! Bilal serves it a bit short and around off. Head rocks back to make space and crunches it through covers for a boundary. |
| 43.2 : B Asif to Head, Better from Bilal as he gives this a lot more air and keeps it around off, Head lunges forward in a solid defense. |
| 43.3 : B Asif to Head, Lands this a bit short again. Head is happy to go back and punch it through point for a single. |
| 43.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Goes for the sweep with hard hands, the ball lands on a length on off, bounces a bit more which induces the top edge. The ball skies up towards deep square leg but falls way short of the fielder on the fence there. Wahab runs across to his right, rather ambles across and then after the shout from Sarfraz, he rushes forward to pick the ball. A single taken. Khawaja survives. |
| 43.5 : B Asif to Head, Shorter again, Head rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. They manage to come back for the second. |
| 43.6 : B Asif to Head, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 44.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, On a fuller length just outside off, Khawaja reverse sweeps it deep point for a single. Seems like Usman is more comfortable with the reserve version rather than the conventional one. |
| 44.2 : Y Shah to Head, Flighted delivery on middle. Flicked to mid-wicket. |
| 44.3 : Y Shah to Head, Head goes back to this shortish delivery from Yasir, pulls it through square leg to change strike. |
| 44.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Khawaja dances down the track to this flighted ball on off. A committed effort by Bilal there to save runs for his team. They pick up a single. |
| 44.5 : Y Shah to T Head, Slower and fuller on off, had eases it to mid on with the turn. |
| 44.6 : Y Shah to Head, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 45.1 : B Asif to U Khawaja, Gives it a lot more air this time and lands it outside off, Khawaja drives a bit away from the body but makes good connection. Gets two for it. |
| 45.2 : B Asif to U Khawaja, Again a fuller length ball on off is driven through covers for a single. |
| 45.3 : B Asif to Head, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 45.4 : B Asif to Head, Beatenn by a beauty! Asif firs it in a bit quicker around off. Head does not come forward nor does he go back and looks to block it from his crease. The ball lands and spins away prodigiously to beat Head's outside edge easily. Better pace on the ball from Bilal. |
| 45.5 : B Asif to Head, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 45.6 : B Asif to T Head, The short of length delivery has been cut away through square on the off side. |
| Haris Sohail comes into the attack. |
| 46.1 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Flatter and quicker from the part timer, Khawaja looks to flick but gets rapped on the pads. |
| 46.2 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Beaten! Keeps it fuller around off. Khawaja stays back to defend but gets beaten by the ball spinning away on landing. |
| 46.3 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Full and wide outside off, left alone by Usman. |
| 46.4 : H Sohail to Khawaja, DROPPED! Should have been taken this. The part time bowler almost got a breakthrough. Sohail fires this one full around off, Khawaja goes for the drive through covers. The ball spins just that wee bit to take a faint outside edge and fly to the right of first slip. Asad Shafiq at first slip hangs his right hand out, the ball hits his palm but does not stick in. Khawaja survives. |
| 46.5 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Slower and loopy ball on middle, Usman flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 46.6 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Bowls this way outside off, Khawaja gets outside the line and pads this off. |
| 47.1 : B Asif to Head, Flatter, quicker and shorter on off, Head goes on the back foot in defense. |
| 47.2 : B Asif to Head, Once again stands tall inside the crease and taps it down to point. |
| 47.3 : B Asif to Head, Flighted delivery but it's too full outside off, Head drives it through covers for a single. |
| 47.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Poor delivery, short and wide outside off, Khawaja smashes it square of the wicket on the off side and returns for the second run. Moves to 49! |
| 47.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Very full this time, around off, Khawaja tries to drive but it takes the inside half of his bat and rolls back to the bowler. |
| 47.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Tossed up ball on off, defended off the back foot by Khawaja to complete the over. |
| 48.1 : H Sohail to Head, Flighted ball outside off, Head comes forward and defends. |
| 48.2 : H Sohail to Head, Very full again but outside off, seeing the line, Head goes for the paddle sweep but gets hit on the pads. |
| 48.3 : H Sohail to Head, This time he flicks this straighter delivery to mid-wicket. |
| 48.4 : H Sohail to Head, Goes back to this slower and shorter delivery on middle, turning into him. Travis turns it away into the leg side with the turn, leg slip stops it. |
| 48.5 : H Sohail to Head, Comes down the track and drives this full length ball through the covers. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. |
| 48.6 : H Sohail to Head, Head goes to play at this wide of off delivery but misses it to get beaten. |
| 49.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, 14th half ton for Usman Khawaja in Tests! Flighted full ball around off, the southpaw leans forward and drives it through covers to pick a single and get to his second fifty of the match, the first time he has achieved this feat. |
| 49.2 : B Asif to Head, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 49.3 : B Asif to Head, Again a bit shorter in length around off. Head has defended off the back foot. |
| 49.4 : B Asif to Head, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 49.5 : B Asif to Head, Travis Head is not taking any more risks as this will be the last over of the day. He blocks this full ball off the front foot. |
| 49.6 : B Asif to Head, Goes back to this shorter in length ball outside off and punches it to deep point to get a single. He will be on strike first-up tomorrow morning. THAT'S STUMPS ON DAY 4. |
| End of another fantastic day for Pakistan! They have stamped their domination on this Test match and are seven wickets away from gaining a 1-0 lead in the series. Once again their bowlers bowled superbly with the old ball, especially Mohammad Abbas, who picked three wickets in quick succession to demolish Australia's top half. |
| The day started today with Pakistan eyeing quick runs to swell their lead. Imam and Sohail did a good job up front and post that, the pair of Shafiq and Azam took it forward. Sarfraz declared soon after Lunch, setting a stiff target of 462 for the Aussies. |
| In reply, the Australian openers once again laid a strong platform. But on the score of 87, the devil's number struck the Kangaroos. Mohammad Abbas trapped Aaron Finch in front and followed it with the wickets of the Marsh brothers. Just when it appeared that we will witness yet another collapse, Usman Khawaja and Travis Head combined to build an unbeaten 49-run stand and took Australia to Stumps without any more casualty. The former, offered one chance in the 47th over but to Pakistan's bad luc |
| It's a very demanding surface, offering plenty of spin and there is reverse on offer too. The Australians showed good temperament initially but will need more of that on the fifth day if they want to come out of this Test match unscathed. Needless to say, Usman Khawaja holds the key but he will need support from the other end. Do join us for the final day of this Test match at 1000 local (0600 GMT). Until then, it's goodbye and cheers! |
| ... DAY 5, FIRST SESSION ... |
| Hello and welcome everyone for the final day of the first Test match in Dubai. We have witnessed some great action in the past four days and it has now all boiled down to Australia needing to bat out the day to save this Test match (winning doesn't look even a distant possibility currently). They have seven wickets remaining and the current batting pair showed a lot of resilience in the evening session on Day 4. More of the same will be required today and Justin Langer will be hoping for a fight |
| For Pakistan, they have to remain disciplined in their approach and more importantly be patient. The surface has plenty of juice in it and their bowlers are expected to dominate. So far, the likes of Yasir Shah and Bilal Asif have not left much impact in this innings and the virtual hosts will be hoping for a better show from them. Mohammad Abbas has been the most standout bowler so far and Australia will have to be wary of the threat he possesses with the old ball. Stay tuned for more updates. |
| Brendon Julian is conducting Tim Paine's interview. The Aussie skipper calls it a huge day and says that they have to dig in deep today. Praises Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch for showing the way. On losing wickets in a clumps, Paine admits that it's worrisome and they are working to improve in that area. Reckons that the initial phase will be challenging and they will look to survive that. Praises the Pakistani fast bowlers for their performance last evening and once again admits that they have |
| All set to get underway. Usman Khawaja and Travis Head are the overnight batsmen. They have batted nicely so far but it's a new day and they will have to start from scratch. Pakistan get into a quick huddle before spreading on the field. Wahab Riaz to begin proceedings. |
| 50.1 : W Riaz to Head, Wrong line to start the day. It's down the leg side, Head tries to flick but misses. A good early exercise for Sarfraz. |
| 50.2 : W Riaz to Head, Four byes! Once again Wahab is direction-less. Sprays it way down the leg side, Head fails to flick and this time Sarfraz has no chance of stopping it with a dive. A boundary results. |
| 50.3 : W Riaz to Head, And again. Riaz is struggling to control his line. Slips across another full ball down the leg side. Travis once again misses out on the opportunity to tickle it away fine. |
| 50.4 : W Riaz to Head, Finally hits the right area. Bowls it full and around off, shaping in a bit, Head is forward in defense. |
| 50.5 : W Riaz to Head, Some extra bounce this time. It rises from a good length around off, Head is on his toes in defense this time. |
| 50.6 : W Riaz to Head, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. End of a wayward first over. |
| Bilal Asif to operate from the other end. |
| 51.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, More byes! Flatter and fuller outside off, Khawaja leaves it alone and Sarfraz fails to collect it cleanly. It goes through his legs and they take a bye. |
| 51.2 : B Asif to T Head, Too full and wide outside off, Head drives it firmly through the line but fails to beat Shah at covers. |
| 51.3 : B Asif to Head, A little bit of drift on this occasion. Lands around middle and off, Head draws forward and works it off the inner half of his bat to short fine leg. |
| 51.4 : B Asif to Head, Good line, this. Tosses it up outside, spinning away with extra bounce, Head watchfully makes the leave. |
| 51.5 : B Asif to Head, Asif is on the shorter side outside off, Head rocks back and punches it to deep cover for a run. |
| 51.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Flighted and full outside off, Khawaja strides forward and presents a straight bat in defense. Solid. |
| 52.1 : W Riaz to Head, Back of a length ball around off, angling in, Head goes on the back foot and punches it down to mid off. There is no slip in place, only a gully. Waqar Younis (on air) feels that Pakistan should have one just to put doubt in batsman's mind. Good point. |
| 52.2 : W Riaz to Head, Angling into the batsman from around off, at 142.4 kph, Head is firmly behind the line in defense. |
| 52.3 : W Riaz to Head, Lazy fielding there by Hafeez. A length ball on off, Head brings down a straight bat in defense and keeps it out. It rolls down the ground, Hafeez moves across to his right from mid on, tumbles but fails to stop it. A single taken. Sarfraz is frustrated but doesn't say a word for a change. Perks of being a senior player. |
| 52.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, The line is a little too straight and Khawaja works it behind square leg for a run. |
| 52.5 : W Riaz to Head, Play and a miss! Riaz serves it short and wide outside off, Head attacks it but fails to connect. |
| 52.6 : W Riaz to Head, A wayward ball down the leg side to end the over. Travis fails to flick it. |
| 53.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Loopy and full outside off, spinning away with extra lift, an easy leave for Usman. |
| 53.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 53.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, Quicker and on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 53.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Slower through the air, full and outside off, Khawaja watches the line closely before making a leave. |
| 53.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Tossed up ball on off, Usman is on the front foot in defense. |
| 53.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Targets the off stump, there is some extra bounce and Khawaja gets hurried up as he goes inside the crease to defend. Nicely adjusted in the end. |
| 54.1 : W Riaz to Head, A good length ball on off, angling in, Head pushes it from the crease to the off side. |
| 54.2 : W Riaz to Head, Lovely delivery and equally well played. A full inswinging ball on off, Head brings down a straight willow and forces it back past the bowler. The mid on fielder fails to stop it with a dive and a run is taken. Sarfraz ain't happy with the effort. |
| 54.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, On a length around off, staying a touch low, Khawaja keeps his eyes on the ball as he blocks. |
| 54.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Gets behind the line of the delivery, covers the movement and then defends it towards the cover fielder. |
| 54.5 : W Riaz to Khawaja, FOUR! There is some movement on offer but Wahab fails to control his line. Lands it around middle and it shapes down, Khawaja eases it off his pads and it beats the fine leg fielder to the fence. Consistency is lacking from Wahab. |
| 54.6 : W Riaz to Khawaja, This time Wahab bowls it way wide outside off, Usman lets it through to the keeper. Good going for Australia, so far. Pakistan yet to apply pressure. Their bowling hasn't been up to the mark this morning. |
| 55.1 : B Asif to Head, Loopy and full on off, Head lunges and defends it to the off side. |
| 55.2 : B Asif to Head, Extra flight this time to temp the batsman. It lands outside off and spins away as Head allows it through. |
| 55.3 : B Asif to Head, Full and around off, Head is on the front foot in defense. |
| 55.4 : B Asif to Head, Fuller and on middle, driven back to the bowler. |
| 55.5 : B Asif to Head, Slower through the air, full and around off, Head draws forward and defends it near his front pad. |
| 55.6 : B Asif to Head, Wonderful delivery. A bit more zip and spin. Bilal pulls his length back just a wee bit. He lands it around off and Head is in two minds initially. Decides to go back to keep it away but it spins away to beat the outside edge. |
| 56.1 : W Riaz to Khawaja, A length delivery just outside off, Khawaja blocks it solidly to the off side. |
| 56.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Bends his back to go short around off. Khawaja keeps his eyes on the ball and then sways away at the last moment to let it be. |
| 56.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, This one is served on the driving length outside off, a watchful Usman Khawaja shoulders arms. |
| 56.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Too full in length and around middle, Khawaja flicks it down to fine leg for a run. |
| 56.5 : W Riaz to Head, Back of a length ball landing on off, shaping back in a bit, Head jumps and defends it from the crease. |
| 56.6 : W Riaz to Head, Stays low this time, outside off, Head does well to keep it out safely. |
| 57.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Flighted and full outside off, Khawaja takes a step forward and drives it through the gap at covers for a run. |
| 57.2 : B Asif to Head, Loopy and full around off, it's driven again but this time straight to the cover fielder. |
| 57.3 : B Asif to Head, Flatter and shorter on off, skidding back in, Travis goes on the back foot and plays it down to point. |
| 57.4 : B Asif to Head, Floated and full on off, Head presses forward and defends it with the spin. Soft hands. |
| 57.5 : B Asif to Head, Extra flight this time, it lands full and on middle, Head opens the face and guides it towards cover-point for one. |
| 57.6 : B Asif to Head, Doosra. It skids through the surface, going on with the arm after landing outside off. Khawaja covers his stumps before making a leave. Wasn't too far from the off pole. |
| Spin from both ends now. Yasir Shah comes into the attack. He's wicket-less so far in this Test match. |
| 58.1 : Y Shah to Head, A loopy leg spinner landing on off, fuller in length, Head is forward as he defends it cautiously. |
| 58.2 : Y Shah to Head, FOUR! Another leg spinner but it lands outside leg and turns down, Head goes down on knee for the sweep but fails to middle it properly. It speeds past the keeper and trickles over the rope at fine leg. Given as a boundary. The replays later on show that it came off Head's gloves. |
| 58.3 : Y Shah to Head, Flatter and full outside off, Head tries sweeping again but fails to middle his shot. |
| 58.4 : Y Shah to Head, Goes deep inside the crease and works it through backward square leg for a run. |
| 58.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up ball on off, Khawaja offers a straight bat in defense. No slip in place, strangely. However, there are two close-in fielders on the leg side, a short leg and leg gully. |
| 58.6 : Y Shah to U Khawaja, Walks forward to a full ball and flicks it through mid on for a run. |
| 59.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Spinning away with extra bounce, Usman stays back and taps it down on the off side. |
| 59.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Loopy and full outside off, turning away, Khawaja takes a stride forward to cover the line and then leaves it alone. |
| 59.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, Huge cry for a caught behind by Sarfraz! Turned down and he is not going for the review. Hmm... Beautiful delivery. Drifting into the batsman, lands full around off and spins away. Khawaja is squared up in defense as he gets forward. It beats the outside edge, probably brushes the back pad as it goes into the mitts of the keeper. |
| 59.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Flighted and full on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 59.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Loopy and on off, Khawaja walks down the track and drives it wide of mid off for a single. |
| 59.6 : B Asif to Head, Tossed up ball in line of the stumps, Head moves back and works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a run. |
| A slip in place now for Yasir. |
| 60.1 : Y Shah to Head, Fires it on middle and leg line. Turning down from there and Head fails to flick it off his pads. |
| 60.2 : Y Shah to Head, Drags his length short around off, Head goes on the back foot and pulls it down to mid on. |
| 60.3 : Y Shah to Head, Appeal for an lbw! Not given. Yasir Shah looks at his skipper and then walks up to his bowling mark. They have only one review left, so they don't want to take any risk. Flighted and full, around middle and leg, Head misses his sweep shot and is hit flush on the pads. They put in an unsuccessful appeal. Well, the replays later on show that it pitched in line, impact was in line and it would have gone on to hit the stumps. Aahh... Pakistan have missed the trick. |
| 60.4 : Y Shah to Head, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 60.5 : Y Shah to Head, Tossed up ball outside off, Head is draws forward in defense but it takes the outside edge and runs wide of first slip for two runs. |
| 60.6 : Y Shah to Head, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. End of an eventful over. |
| 61.1 : B Asif to Head, Flatter and outside off, Head defends it back towards the bowler. |
| 61.2 : B Asif to Head, Tossed up outside off, Head pushes inside the line and gets an outside edge wide of first slip. A couple of runs taken. |
| 61.3 : B Asif to Head, Fullish and on middle, defended back towards mid off. |
| 61.4 : B Asif to Head, Maiden Test fifty for Travis Head! A very responsible knock by the southpaw. Asif drops it short and outside off, Travis is on the back foot as he cuts it through point for a run. He has struggled against spin in the past but this knock will give him immense confidence. |
| 61.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Just in front of first slip. Flighted and spinning away, Khawaja chops it down from the back foot. |
| 61.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Loopy and outside off, Khawaja strides forward in defense. |
| 62.1 : Y Shah to Head, Tossed up ball on middle, defended down in front of short leg. |
| 62.2 : Y Shah to Head, Turning down the leg side, Head tries to sweep but misses. |
| 62.3 : Y Shah to Head, A googly but on the shorter side, Head punches it from the back foot but finds the cover fielder. |
| 62.4 : Y Shah to Head, Lunges to a full ball and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 62.5 : Y Shah to Head, Another googly, landing around off and turning away. Head tries to defend it off his front foot but gets an outside edge. It speeds past first slip and they cross for a run. |
| 62.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Flighted and on off, driven back to the bowler to end the over. |
| 63.1 : B Asif to Head, Jumps out of the crease to a full ball and forces his drive in the direction of mid off. A single taken. |
| 63.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Asif drags his length short around off, Khawaja camps back and cuts it through point for a run. |
| 63.3 : B Asif to Head, Loopy and full around off, Head is on the front foot as he jams it down. |
| 63.4 : B Asif to Head, Fires one in, full and around off, skidding in, Head blocks it off his front foot. |
| 63.5 : B Asif to Head, Skidding back into the batsman from around off, a bit on the shorter side which allows the batsman time to go back and work it around in the gap at mid-wicket. Two runs taken. |
| 63.6 : B Asif to Head, Loopy and full on off, Travis stretches forward to keep it out safely. |
| 64.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, First reverse sweep of the day. Full and on off, Khawaja gets down on one knee and sweeps it through backward point for a single. |
| 64.2 : Y Shah to Head, Nicely played. Head skips down the track to a full ball and flicks it with the spin to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 64.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up ball on middle, too straight in line and it's been swept away behind square leg for one. |
| 64.4 : Y Shah to Head, Loopy leg spinner around leg, Head fails to connect with his attempted sweep shot. |
| 64.5 : Y Shah to Head, Walks down the track to a full ball and drives it back to the bowler. Shah picks up the ball and has an immediate shy at the striker's end as Head rushes back. Aggression shown by Yasir but then he smiles. |
| 64.6 : Y Shah to Head, Tossed up ball on middle, Head goes back and defends it in front of short leg. Imam there seems to have got hit on the helmet as the ball bounced. All fine though. |
| Mohammad Abbas is introduced into the attack for the first time this morning. A slip in place. |
| 65.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Right on the money straightaway. Bowls it on a length outside off, shaping away a bit, Khawaja allows it through. |
| 65.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Angles in a length ball on off, Usman walks forward and across before blocking it with a straight bat. |
| 65.3 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Pitches it up and outside off, Usman commits himself into the shot and drives it towards the short cover fielder. |
| 65.4 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Good length delivery wide outside off, further moving away, Khawaja shuffles across the stumps and then lets it through to the keeper. |
| 65.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Beaten all ends up! Beauty of a delivery. Abbas serves it closer to the off stump line, Khawaja with minimum footwork pushes inside the line and gets beaten due to the away movement. |
| 65.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, This one is angled into the batsman, Khawaja moves across the stumps and flicks it through square leg for a brace. |
| 66.1 : Y Shah to Head, Flighted and around leg, Head works it with the spin through square leg for a run. |
| 66.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Yasir is on the shorter side, around off and turning down, Khawaja eases it through square leg for another single. That gap needs to be plugged but Sarfraz is persisting with the fielder in the deep. Maybe, he is planted there for a top edge. |
| Square leg comes in now. Change in plan then. |
| 66.3 : Y Shah to Head, Turning down the leg side, Head tries to work it across but it seems that it has come off the inside edge. Falls just in front of leg gully though. |
| 66.4 : Y Shah to Head, The batsman dances down the track and does well to block the ball. |
| 66.5 : Y Shah to Head, Tossed up ball on off, blocked by Head with ease. |
| 66.6 : Y Shah to Head, Allows the ball to spin back in and just taps it down towards short leg. |
| Drinks break. An hour successfully played out by Australia without any casualty. There was just one narrow escape for Travis Head though when he was trapped in front but was not given out and Pakistan didn't take the DRS. Apart from that, the current Aussie pair has dealt with the situation superbly. Pakistan will have to be patient and also smart in their approach. Allowing easy singles has not helped their cause. They need to be creating more pressure. |
| 67.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Play and a miss! Abbas steams in from 'round the wicket and bowls it on a good length around off. Khawaja gets across the stumps and tries to defend but it straightens to beat the outside edge. By far, he has looked the most threatening bowler today. |
| 0.0 : Sarfraz comes up to the stumps. |
| 67.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Beaten again! With the keeper standing up, it stops the batsman from leaving his crease. Usman tries to play a length ball outside off but fails to do so. |
| 67.3 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Third play and a miss in a row! Abbas is getting it to move away from the batsman. Khawaja tries pushing inside the line from the crease but is beaten. The angle is such that the southpaw has to play at it. This is incredible bowling by Abbas. |
| 67.4 : M Abbas to U Khawaja, Pitches it full on this occasion, just mixing his length, Usman drives it off his front foot to covers. |
| 67.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, The line is too straight this time and Khawaja tucks it off his pads through square leg for a run. |
| Sarfraz goes back as Head will be on strike now. |
| 67.6 : M Abbas to Head, Head is beaten! Abbas delivers it slightly short around off and it shapes away after landing, Head rocks back to punch it away but gets beaten. Superb over by Abbas comes to an end. |
| 68.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Gets forward and across to a full ball and eases it down towards deepish mid on for a run. |
| 68.2 : Y Shah to Head, Walks down the track and flicks it with the spin to the leg side but finds the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 68.3 : Y Shah to Head, A leg spinner on the shorter side. It lands around off and turns back in, Head uses the depth of his crease as he slaps it through covers for three runs. Showing good footwork, Head. |
| 68.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Loopy and full outside off, Usman reverse sweeps it through point and collects a single. |
| 68.5 : Y Shah to Head, Misses! Yasir serves it in the rough outside off, turning back in, Head moves away from the line of the stumps and attempts to sweep. Fails to connect and it goes off his pads to point. |
| 68.6 : Y Shah to Head, Uses his feet to get down the track and forces it towards mid on for a run. That fielder continues to be quite deep. |
| 69.1 : M Abbas to Head, Fullish and outside off, Head slices his attempted drive and it rolls towards the point fielder. |
| 69.2 : M Abbas to T Head, Streaky! Width on offer outside off, Head pokes at it and gets it away off the bottom edge. It dies in front of the first slip fielder. |
| 69.3 : M Abbas to Head, A length ball angling into the batsman, Travis is on the back foot as he offers a dead straight bat in defense. |
| 69.4 : M Abbas to T Head, Slapped away! Once again Abbas offers width outside off and Head plays a cracking square cut. However, he fails to beat the point fielder. |
| 69.5 : M Abbas to Head, Gets behind the line of the delivery and defends it watchfully. |
| 69.6 : M Abbas to Head, An overpitched delivery outside off, it's driven square of the wicket on the off side and the backward point fielder rushes across to his left to make a tumbling stop. They cross for a run. Good effort there by Imam. |
| 70.1 : Y Shah to Head, Full and flighted outside off, Head inside edges his attempted sweep shot and it quickly rolls towards leg gully. |
| 70.2 : Y Shah to Head, A bit on the shorter side, turning down the leg side, Head gets back to work it away but misses. |
| 70.3 : Y Shah to Head, Advances down the track to a full ball and brings his bat and pad close to defend. Works it wide of short leg and crosses for a run. 100-run stand comes up! A big achievement, this. Next goal will be to get through to Lunch safely. |
| 70.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Probably a googly, landing outside off and spinning away a bit with extra bounce, Khawaja lets it be and Sarfraz collects it near his shoulders. |
| 70.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 70.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. Another ordinary over by Yasir. Not finding his rhythm. |
| The umpire has gone upstairs for a stumping appeal. Has Khawaja left his crease? |
| 71.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Safe! Khawaja has his back leg inside the crease just in time. First up, it's a beautiful delivery by Abbas. He angles it around off and gets it to shape away. Khawaja is squared up inside the crease as he attempts to defend. It misses the off stump by a whisker and Sarfraz standing up is quick to take the bails off. They appeal and the square leg umpire goes upstairs. The replays show that Khawaja did take his back leg out but has it planted when the bails came off. |
| 71.2 : M Abbas to U Khawaja, Fuller and on off, driven off the front foot to covers. |
| 71.3 : M Abbas to Khawaja, On a length around off, Usman defends it off his back foot. |
| 71.4 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 71.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, FOUR! That's thumped! A half-volley this time by Abbas, an attempted slower one outside off, Khawaja leans forward and drives it elegantly through covers for a glorious boundary. |
| 71.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| Wahab Riaz is back for another burst before the Lunch break. |
| 72.1 : W Riaz to Head, Digs in a short delivery wide outside off, Head goes on his toes as he slaps it through point for a single. |
| 72.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Wahab continues to struggle with his line. Sprays a fuller one on the pads and it's been worked away through square leg for an easy run. |
| 72.3 : W Riaz to Head, Nearly chops it on! Riaz delivers a shortish ball around off, shaping back in, Head stays back to defend it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 72.4 : W Riaz to Head, Good line, this is where he needs to be. Tails a length ball back into the batsman from around off, Travis defends it from the back foot. |
| 72.5 : Riaz to Head, Plenty of movement there but Wahab fails to control his line. He serves it on middle and leg and it keeps going down the leg side. Head fails to flick and it goes off his pads to Sarfraz. He collects it with a dive to his left as the bowler lets out a hopeful appeal. Clearly missing leg. |
| 72.6 : W Riaz to Head, A length ball on off, angling in, Head offers a straight bat in defense. Very solid. |
| Sarfraz Ahmed has gone back to Usman Khawaja. Mohammad Abbas to continue... |
| 73.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Full and outside off, Khawaja uses his feet to get forward and across before defending it to the off side. |
| 73.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Once again Khawaja is free to move around and outside the crease with the keeper standing behind at his normal position. He drives a full ball through the line but finds mid off. |
| 73.3 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Beaten! Brilliant bowling. Abbas gets some late movement on this delivery. Serves it outside off, Usman walks forward and across to defend but is beaten. |
| 73.4 : M Abbas to Khawaja, A good length ball outside off, Usman gets squared up a shade after moving across the stumps and then defends it on the off side. |
| 73.5 : M Abbas to Khawaja, An away swinger, it lands on a length outside off, Khawaja this time remains inside the crease as he lets it through to the keeper. |
| 73.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Abbas switches to over the wicket for the southpaw now. Angles across a full delivery outside off, there to be driven but Khawaja shows good patience as he leaves it alone. |
| 74.1 : W Riaz to Head, Shortish and wide outside off, Head cuts it off his back foot through point for a single. With Lunch approaching, this is the period the two batsmen need to be mentally switched on. |
| 74.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Oversteps and bowls a no ball. It's outside off and Khawaja hits it square of the wicket on the off side for a run. |
| W Riaz to Head, Flashes and misses! Loose, too loose by Travis Head. Just hoping he knows it wasn't a Free Hit. Riaz delivers it short and wide outside off, seeing the width, Head throws his bat at it but fails to connect. |
| 74.3 : W Riaz to Head, Shortish and on off, played down towards backward point for one. |
| 74.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Too short and wide outside off, easily forced through point for another run. Very wayward bowling, this. |
| 74.5 : W Riaz to Head, Slips a length ball down the leg side, the batsman fails to flick and Sarfraz dives across to his right to collect the ball. Very unimpressive from an experienced bowler. |
| 74.6 : W Riaz to Head, Four byes! Riaz has completely lost it. Bowls a wild delivery, way down the leg side, as if teasing his skipper and challenging him to stop this one. Head allows it through and it races wide past Sarfraz to fine leg for a boundary. |
| Haris Sohail is into the attack with Pakistan desperate for a breakthrough. |
| 75.1 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Shout for an lbw! There is turn from outside off, Khawaja gets well forward to defend but is hit on the pads. It rolls past the keeper and they steal a leg bye. There was an appeal but the impact was very wide outside off. |
| 75.2 : H Sohail to Head, Turning back into the batsman from around off, Head is on the back foot in defense. |
| 75.3 : H Sohail to Head, Full and on off, Head prefers to stay back as he keeps it out safely to short leg. |
| 75.4 : H Sohail to Head, Howzzatt? Once again it's spinning back in from outside off, Head fails to sweep and is hit on the pads. The impact once again is outside off. Both the batsmen have been conscious to get away from the line of the stumps whenever attempting horizontal bat shots. |
| 75.5 : H Sohail to Head, Allows the ball to spin back in and then nudges it past leg gully for one. |
| 75.6 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Khawaja has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Bilal Asif is back into the attack. |
| 76.1 : B Asif to Head, Tossed up ball outside off, Head is drawn forward as he pushes it through covers for a run. |
| 76.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Flighted and outside off, Usman covers the line and leaves it. |
| 76.3 : B Asif to U Khawaja, Pitches it full and on off, Khawaja drills it down to long off for a single. |
| 76.4 : B Asif to T Head, Well played but fails to find the gap properly. A shortish ball on off, Head gets inside the crease and plays a late cut. The backward point fielder does well to stop it as the batsmen cross. |
| 76.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Floated off spinner outside off, Khawaja strides forward to cover his stumps and then lets it through. |
| 76.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Slower through the air, full and on off, Khawaja presses forward in defense. Pakistan's long wait for a breakthrough continues. |
| 77.1 : H Sohail to Head, Sharp delivery, at 92.5 kph, it lands around off and spins back in, Head does well to block it safely. |
| 77.2 : H Sohail to Head, A bit on the shorter side this time, Head moves back and works it past the left side of the short leg fielder for a single. |
| 77.3 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Superb shot! Sohail gives this one some extra air as he drops it on a fuller length outside off. Khawaja goes down on one knee and sweeps it firmly in front of square leg. Asif rushes across to his right from fine leg to make a nice stop. Two taken. |
| 77.4 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Shout for an lbw! Not given. Sarfraz has a chat with his bowler and then goes for the DRS. Is the impact outside off? |
| 77.5 : Sohail to Khawaja, NOT OUT! The impact indeed was the issue. A great delivery though. Sohail gets it to spin back in sharply from outside off, Khawaja is caught inside the crease as he tries to defend. But he fails to do so and is rapped on the pads. They appeal but the impact looks quite outside off to the naked eye. Still, Sarfraz consults his bowler before taking the review. Right then, the replays come in and they show that the impact is with the umpire's call. The review is retained b |
| 77.6 : H Sohail to Khawaja, It's been driven superbly through the covers. They pick up a single. |
| 78.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Loopy delivery outside off, left alone. |
| 78.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Flatter and on middle, worked from the crease to square leg for one. |
| 78.3 : B Asif to Head, Shortish and on off, Head rocks back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 78.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Floated and full outside off, Usman lunges and defends it watchfully. Two more balls left for Lunch. |
| 78.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Switches to over the wicket and serves a full ball on middle and off. Khawaja draws forward in defense. |
| 78.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, Fullish and on middle, Khawaja pushes it with gentle hands to mid off and takes a run. LUNCH ON DAY 5! |
| Australia's session! Tremendous application shown by Usman Khawaja and Travis Head. They braved everything coming their way in the morning session and have now extended their partnership to 128 off 284 balls. Both looked completely unfazed and dealt with the Pakistan bowlers with confidence. The pair has seen off 29 overs of the final day but the job is not done yet. They will have to continue in the same manner because if they provide an opening, Pakistan have the bowling to run through, like w |
| Pakistan were quite poor this morning. Their bowlers weren't able to apply much pressure. No doubt there is assistance from the pitch but they failed to hit the right areas on a consistent basis. Only Mohammad Abbas looked threatening in his spell. Apart from that, there was a moment when Pakistan should have taken the review but they decided against it, thereby giving a life to Travis Head. Altogether, a disappointing outing for them and they would have to come out with some different strategy |
| ... DAY 5, SECOND SESSION ... |
| Welcome back for the afternoon session. The players are already on the field and the battle of survival continues for Australia. Pakistan are continuing with the spin of Haris Sohail. Just one more over for the second new ball. Here we go again... |
| 79.1 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Starts with a short ball on middle and leg and it has been pulled behind square leg for a single. |
| 79.2 : H Sohail to Head, Allows the ball to spin back in and then nudges it through square leg for another run. |
| 79.3 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Flighted and full on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 79.4 : H Sohail to U Khawaja, This is now the best partnership for Australia in the fourth innings in Asia. Terrific effort. Khawaja this time skips down the track to a full ball and pushes it down through mid on for a run. |
| 79.5 : H Sohail to Head, Play and a miss! Head tries sweeping this one off the rough but fails to connect. |
| 79.6 : H Sohail to Head, Shortish delivery and once again it has been turned in the gap at square leg for one. |
| Second new ball has been taken. Who is making the first use of it? Wahab Riaz? No. Mohammad Abbas? No. It's Mohammad Hafeez. |
| 80.1 : M Hafeez to Head, OUT! What a masterstroke by Sarfraz! He immediately opts for the new nut and gives it to Hafeez. The experienced campaigner has delivered and the Pakistan players are jubilant. The long wait for a breakthrough ends for them. Hafeez delivers it from 'round the wicket and tosses it up in line of the stumps. Since it's a new ball, the ball skids through the surface, beats the bat of Head who probably was on the back foot waiting for the spin. He misses it completely to get r |
| 0.0 : Marnus Labuschagne is in next. Big moment for the debutant. He bagged a duck in his first outing. How will he fare this time around? |
| 80.2 : M Hafeez to Labuschagne, Floated full ball on off, its' defended cautiously off the front foot by Marnus Labuschagne. |
| 80.3 : M Hafeez to Labuschagne, Off the mark in Test cricket! Marnus will be relieved after flicking it in front of square leg for a run. |
| 80.4 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Flatter and fuller on off, Usman pushes it towards mid off. A bit uppish, that. |
| 80.5 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Khawaja has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 80.6 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Around leg, Khawaja is on the back foot in defense. End of a successful over for Pakistan. |
| Haris Sohail to continue... |
| 81.1 : H Sohail to Labuschagne, Shortish and wide outside off, Labuschagne goes back and punches it through covers for a run. |
| 81.2 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Stifled appeal for an lbw! The ball is new so it will bounce more. Haris Sohail just lands it outside off, on the rough and gets it to turn back in sharply. Khawaja gets forward and across to defend but misses. He is hit on the pads but the impact is well outside off. |
| 81.3 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 81.4 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Walks down the track and brings his bat and pad together in defense. |
| 81.5 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Uses his feet to get down the track and bunts it towards covers for a run. |
| 81.6 : H Sohail to Labuschagne, Flatter and outside off, Labuschagne reaches out for it and pats it down. |
| 82.1 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, FOUR! Bang! Attack is the best form of defense. Khawaja wears his skates to rush down the track and powers it over mid on for a cracking boundary. Excellent footwork. It's important not to get bogged down here for Usman. |
| 82.2 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Once again uses his feet, gets down the track and drives it through the line. Finds the cover fielder. |
| 82.3 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Khawaja has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 82.4 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Walks forward to the pitch of the delivery and blocks it safely. |
| 82.5 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, FOUR! And again. The new ball won't spin much and Usman is using that to his advantage. He shimmies down the track and lofts it nonchalantly over mid on for yet another boundary in this over. Moves into the 90s as well. |
| 82.6 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Just tickles it off his pads through mid-wicket and retains strike. 9 from this over. |
| 83.1 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Shortish and around middle, Khawaja reverse sweeps it through backward point for a single. Sarfraz is not impressed with the length Haris bowled. |
| 83.2 : H Sohail to Labuschagne, Beaten! Sharp away spin with some extra bounce, Marnus hangs his bat outside only to get beaten. |
| 83.3 : H Sohail to Labuschagne, Flatter and fuller on off, Labuschagne strides forward in defense. |
| 83.4 : H Sohail to Labuschagne, Flighted and full on middle, defended off the front foot. |
| 83.5 : H Sohail to Labuschagne, Loopy full ball on off, Marnus gets forward nicely and drives it through to mid off. |
| 83.6 : H Sohail to Labuschagne, Pulls his length back and lands it around off. Labuschagne goes back and cuts it straight to point. |
| 84.1 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Mishit! A tossed up ball outside off, Khawaja tries to play the slog sweep but gets a big fat inside edge onto the pads. Getting a bit too greedy here, Usman. |
| 84.2 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Much better this time. Leans forward to a full ball and defends it to the off side. |
| 84.3 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Uses his feet to dance down the track and works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 84.4 : M Hafeez to M Labuschagne, Floated full ball on off, Labuschagne walks forward and pushes it with the spin to covers. |
| 84.5 : M Hafeez to Labuschagne, Once again Marnus uses his feet to get down the track and this time he strokes it in front of mid off for a swift single. |
| 84.6 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, Flighted and around off, Khawaja immediately comes down the track and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| Yasir Shah comes into the attack. The leggie has bowled 50 wicket-less overs till now, can he get one now? |
| 85.1 : Y Shah to Labuschagne, Flighted and full n off, defended off the front foot. |
| 85.2 : Y Shah to Labuschagne, Dances down the track, converts it into a half volley and eases this through to long on for a single. |
| 85.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Usman gets right to the pitch of the ball to block it out. |
| 85.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Reverse seep attempted but missed. Usman, not surprisingly, goes for the reverse sweep but misses as this very full ball outside off sneaks under his bat into Sarfraz's mitts. |
| 85.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Reverse sweep again and he gets it right. Gets down to play the shot, takes the ball on the full and reverse sweeps it very fine through the third man region to pick up three and move on to just one run away from a ton. |
| 85.6 : Y Shah to Labuschagne, A bit shorter this and the debutant goes back in defense. |
| 86.1 : M Hafeez to Khawaja, 1 run. |
| 86.2 : M Hafeez to Labuschagne, Full on off, stroked to mid off. |
| 86.3 : M Hafeez to Labuschagne, Comes down the track does Labuschagne. Does not reach to the pitch of the ball and hence blocks it out. |
| 86.4 : M Hafeez to Labuschagne, The debutant gets to the pitch of this flighted ball and defends it. |
| 86.5 : M Hafeez to Labuschagne, SIX! WHACK Skips down the track again. This time he reaches to the pitch of it and swings through to heave this nut over the long on fence for his first maximum in Test cricket. Good shot! Ramiz Raja on air says - Are they going for the chase?... Interesting. |
| 86.6 : M Hafeez to Labuschagne, Gets right forward to the pitch and keeps it out. |
| 87.1 : Shah to U Khawaja, Aerial but safe! Loopy full ball landing outside off and spinning back in with extra bounce, Khawaja gloves his attempted sweep shot and it balloons over leg gully. A single taken. |
| 87.2 : Y Shah to Labuschagne, Quicker and fuller on off, Marnus gets forward and defends it off the inner half of his bat. |
| 87.3 : Y Shah to Labuschagne, Flatter leg spinner landing on middle, Labuschagne goes back and hits it in front of short leg. |
| 87.4 : Y Shah to Labuschagne, Once again bowls it in the flatter trajectory, a bit short and on off, it's blocked off the back foot. |
| 87.5 : Y Shah to Labuschagne, Lovely shot! Extra flight this time by Shah. He bowls it full and outside off, Marnus drives it with the spin through covers and takes three runs. Looking quite positive, the debutant. |
| 87.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up ball landing outside off and turning back in, Khawaja brings out the reverse sweep and places it through point for one. |
| Bilal Asif is back into the attack. |
| 88.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Oohhh... that was very close to the off pole. A brave leave in the end by Khawaja. Asif serves it around off and this one skids on with the angle. Usman gets forward and then makes the leave. |
| 88.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Full and on off, defended off the front foot to the off side. |
| 88.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, Very full and flighted ball outside off, Khawaja lets it be. |
| 88.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Similar line and length on this one, Usman from the front foot just pushes it into covers. |
| 88.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Tossed up on off this, Usman shows good temperament to block it out. It's necessary that he does not lose his focus after getting to the landmark. |
| 88.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, A bit short this and Khawaja pulls this through deep square leg to get a brace. |
| 89.1 : Shah to Labuschagne, OUT! Trapped in front. HALF THE JOB DONE BY PAKISTAN! Number five goes down for the Kangaroos. Yasir Shah comes into the attack now as he pitches this on a fuller and on off. Labuschagne, instead of coming forward, goes back to it. It's a googly and it spins in sharply to completely fox the debutant as the nut misses his inside edge to get rapped right in front. The hosts go up in an appeal in unison and gets the desired response from the umpire as he raises his finger |
| 0.0 : Skipper Tim Paine arrives in the middle. A captain's knock expected from him. Around 50 overs left in the day's play. Can he deliver? |
| 89.2 : Y Shah to Paine, Flatter and on middle, defended off the back foot. |
| 89.3 : Y Shah to Paine, Floated full ball on off, it's pushed off the front foot to covers. |
| 89.4 : Y Shah to Paine, Very full and on off, Paine digs it out to the off side. All of a sudden you can hear the noises around the bat. More energy in the field. |
| 89.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Loopy and on off, defended off the front foot. |
| 89.6 : Y Shah to Paine, Fools the Aussie skipper with a googly. Paine is forward in defense without reading the variation and it takes the inside edge before running down to fine leg. A single to get off the mark. Not a convincing way though. |
| 90.1 : B Asif to Paine, Tossed up ball on off this, Paine comes down the track to defend. |
| 90.2 : B Asif to Paine, Flighted and very full on off, the centurion lunges forward in defense. |
| 90.3 : B Asif to Paine, Goes back to this slower delivery and turns it 'round the corner to get off strike. |
| 90.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Flighted and very full on off, the centurion lunges forward in defense. |
| 90.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Similar delivery and similar respect and patience shown by Usman as he blocks it out. |
| 90.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, A bit wider this outside off and quicker too, Usman leans across and keeps it out off the front foot. |
| 91.1 : Y Shah to Paine, Flighted on off, defended off the front foot to covers. |
| 91.2 : Y Shah to Paine, Misses the off pole by a whisker! Paine leaves it alone thinking it will spin away but it skids through and goes perilously close past the off stump. |
| 91.3 : Y Shah to Paine, Paine has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 91.4 : Y Shah to Paine, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 91.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Calm down, skipper! He hurries down the track and then tries to defend. Slips in the process as it clips the inside half of his bat. Paine immediately turns to plant his bat inside the crease. The replays show that he lost his footings there, resulting in his spike scratching the surface even more. Not good for Australia. This pitch is already difficult to bat on. |
| 91.6 : Y Shah to Paine, Beaten again! Top class bowling! A leg spinner around middle, Paine pushes himself on the back foot as he attempts to defend but it spins away viciously to beat the outside edge. |
| 92.1 : B Asif to U Khawaja, Bilal starts his new over with a very full and flighted ball on off, Khawaja drives it softly to short cover. |
| 92.2 : B Asif to U Khawaja, Similar ball but this time, Usman opens his bat face a bit to hit the gap and take a run. |
| 92.3 : B Asif to Tim Paine, FOUR! Errs in length and lands it very short outside off. Paine camps back and cuts it late through backward point. The fielder tries his best to stop it from crossing the rope but is unsuccessful. |
| 92.4 : B Asif to Paine, Good bowling this by Asif, Paine skips down the track but is beaten in flight as he is not to the pitch of. He offers his pads to this one. |
| 92.5 : B Asif to Paine, This time he dances down and defends it by smothering the spin. |
| 92.6 : B Asif to Paine, Full and in line with the stumps, Paine works it through square leg to pick up a single. |
| 93.1 : Y Shah to Paine, Yasir, with his tail up, tosses it up and keeps it straight. Paine goes back and punches it back to the bowler. |
| 93.2 : Y Shah to Paine, Good work at short leg. Not allowing Paine to get off-strike. The Aussie skipper goes back to this shortish delivery and flicks it into the leg side. It hits the short leg fielder and he does well to grab the nut. |
| 93.3 : Y Shah to Paine, Very full on off, driven to mid on. |
| 93.4 : Y Shah to Paine, Seeing this one a bit shorter, Paine rocks back and punches it to covers. |
| 93.5 : Y Shah to Tim Paine, Full and flighted this on off, stroked gently to short cover. |
| 93.6 : Y Shah to Paine, Paine flicks this full and flighted ball to square leg with a wristy shot. |
| 94.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Starts with a slow and loopy ball around off, Khawaja prods forward to defend. |
| 94.2 : B Asif to Paine, A bit short and gives Usman the chance to go back and punch it through cover-point for a single. |
| 94.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, This time it's the conventional sweep to this very full ball outside leg. Usman connects well to get a brace. |
| 94.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Almost a mix-up, but safe. Khawaja pushes this to the cover region and takes a step forward. Paine responds immediately and starts running but only to see Usman stop. The Aussie skipper then fortunately manages to turn, without slipping, to reach back in his crease at the non-striker's end. |
| 94.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, Khawaja comes forward and across to defend this full and flighted delivery outside off but the ball skids on and hits his pads. |
| 94.6 : B Asif to Khawaja, It is outside leg again and turning towards the stumps, the southpaw covers his stumps and pads it away. |
| Drinks. With just a wicket falling in the last hour of play, the tourists find themselves very much in this game. Their skipper along with the centurion, Khawaja, will look to continue and go to Tea without any further damage. Pakistan, on the flip side, will be keen on breaking this stand and entering the host's tail as soon as possible. |
| 95.1 : Y Shah to Paine, Very full ball this on off, Paines looks to drive through mid off but gets an inside edge. The ball rolls towards mid on as it is a googly, turning in after landing. |
| 95.2 : Y Shah to Paine, Straighter and a bit quicker this from Shah, Paine flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 95.3 : Y Shah to Paine, Very full and flighted again, Paines comes right forward and leans to drive it to mid off. |
| 95.4 : Y Shah to Paine, A bit shorter on middle and leg line, TP defends it from within the crease. |
| 95.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Loose shot captain, gotta focus! Shah keeps it a bit short and just wide of off. Paine goes for the cut but misses as the ball goes over his blade and into the Pakistan skipper's mitts. |
| 95.6 : Y Shah to Paine, This time it is a bit wider and that allows Paine to go back and cut it through point. They take a single and the Aussie skipper will be on strike the next over. |
| Mohammad Abbas, the most impressive bowler today, comes back into the attack. |
| 96.1 : M Abbas to Paine, A good length ball on middle and off, played to mid-wicket. |
| 96.2 : M Abbas to Paine, Fuller this on off, Paine defends it from within the crease. |
| 96.3 : M Abbas to Paine, Paine comes forward and defends this good length ball around off onto the ground. |
| 96.4 : M Abbas to Paine, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 96.5 : M Abbas to Paine, A bit fuller and straighter, attacking the batsman's pads. Paine flicks it through mid-wicket to get a brace. |
| 96.6 : M Abbas to Paine, The Aussie skipper has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 97.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up on off, Khawaja gently prods forward and defends it solidly. |
| 97.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Reverse sweep, for the umpteenth time by Usman. The southpaw maybe the best player of this shot as he is playing these from the rough and has not edged even a single one until now. The batsmen cross over for a run as the ball rolls through point. |
| 97.3 : Y Shah to Paine, Short of a length delivery has been cut away through square on the off side. |
| 97.4 : Y Shah to U Khawaja, Run out chance missed! Flighted and full around off, eased to mid off by Paine. Paine calls for a quick single and Usman reacts a bit late. Khawaja though turn's back to get back in his crease. By then the man at mid off does well to grab it cleanly and has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. Replays show that the opener was just out of his crease. |
| 97.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Quicker and inline with the leg stump. The southpaw gets inside the line to work it fine on the leg side for a brace. |
| 97.6 : Y Shah to Paine, Paine has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 98.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Fuller and angling away from the batsman, Khawaja drives it off his front foot to covers. |
| 98.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Walks down the track and then defends it off toe end of his bat to the leg side. |
| 98.3 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 98.4 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Once again uses his feet to walk down the track and defends it watchfully. |
| 98.5 : M Abbas to U Khawaja, A delightful cover drive by Khawaja but he fails to pierce the gap on the off side. |
| 98.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, In the channel outside off, Khawaja plants his front foot forward to cover the line and then shoulders arms. |
| 99.1 : Y Shah to Paine, Full and flighted on middle and leg. Paine prods forward, opens up a bit to keep it out. |
| 99.2 : Y Shah to Paine, Similar ball this, almost a yorker on the leg stump line. Paine defends it out. |
| 99.3 : Y Shah to Paine, A shorter in length delivery this outside off, Paine camps back and cuts it through point to get three. The fielder at point has done well to chase it down and save a run. |
| 99.4 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Quicker and a bit straighter again, spinning into Khawaja. The southpaw goes back and works it very fine onto the leg side to get a brace. |
| 99.5 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up around off, Usman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 99.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Skips down and flicks this full length ball on middle straight to the man at short mid-wicket. 100 overs up. The Aussies need to play out a minimum of 40 overs still. |
| 100.1 : M Abbas to Paine, A good length ball around middle and leg, angling into Paine, the Aussie skipper waits back in his crease and plays it towards mid-wicket. |
| 100.2 : M Abbas to Paine, Similar length but the line is better, around off. Paine again blocks it out from his crease. |
| 100.3 : M Abbas to Paine, Paine doing it well here. He is watching the ball closely, bending low to defend this good length delivery heading towards the stumps. |
| 100.4 : M Abbas to Paine, A bit wider of off this, Abbas testing out Paine. The Aussie skipper plays it well by letting it go. |
| 100.5 : M Abbas to Paine, Stays back to this shorter of a good length ball on off and punches it to covers. |
| 100.6 : M Abbas to Paine, The in-dipper this one on a good length but starting from the middle stump line. It reaches Paine on his pads and he flicks it to deep backward square leg to get a single. |
| Bilal Asis comes back to roll his arm over. |
| 101.1 : B Asif to Paine, Starts his new spell with a tossed up delivery on middle. The ball lands and spins further in to Paine. The right-hander goes back to flick but misses it as it passes his pads. |
| 101.2 : B Asif to Paine, Similar ball, similar shot attempted by the Aussie captain but missed again. Bilal needs to start from outside off. |
| 101.3 : B Asif to Paine, Skips down the track and flicks it a bit aerial towards mid-wicket. The fielder there dives to his right to stop it one bounce. The aggressive intent is still there but he needs to be careful. |
| 101.4 : B Asif to Paine, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 101.5 : B Asif to Paine, Paine goes back to this shorter in length ball and tries to flick it but misses to get rapped on the pads. The ball is going down clearly. |
| 101.6 : B Asif to Paine, Inside edge comes to the rescue. Paine again goes back to this fuller in length ball. Tries to keep it out off a straight bat but the ball spins and hits his pads, luckily for the Aussie skipper, after taking an inside edge. The hosts appeal but bail out as they know the fact. |
| 102.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Wayward delivery. Short and angling down the leg side, Khawaja stands tall inside the crease and pulls it fine down to the leg side for a run. |
| 102.2 : M Abbas to Paine, Fullish and angling into the batsman, Paine leans forward and defends it solidly. There is a silly mid on waiting for any mishit. |
| 102.3 : M Abbas to Paine, A touch short and outside off, shaping away a touch, Tim opens the face of the bat and guides it past the diving gully fielder. The point fielder has it covered though. |
| 102.4 : M Abbas to Paine, Too full and down the leg side, Paine tries to flick but misses. Is Abbas tiring? |
| 102.5 : M Abbas to Paine, Another one down the leg side, it's been clipped away through square leg for a single. |
| 102.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Switches to 'round the wicket for the left-hander and slants in a length ball on off. Usman sticks back and blocks it safely. |
| 103.1 : B Asif to Paine, The offie floats this up nicely and keeps it full. However it is a bit too full which allows Paine time to drive it to mid off and get off strike. |
| 103.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Tossed up on off from around the wicket, Khawaja comes forward in a solid defense. |
| 103.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, Tossed up again but pulls his length back a bit, Usman goes back and keeps it out. |
| 103.4 : B Asif to Khawaja, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 103.5 : B Asif to Khawaja, A bit flatter angling into the southpaw, Khawaja goes back and turns it into the square leg region to get a run. |
| 103.6 : B Asif to Paine, Slower and shorter around off, Paine punches off the back foot to covers. |
| Yasir Shah comes back into the attack. He is Pakistan's trump card and let's see whether he can provide the breakthrough before Tea or not. |
| 104.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, FOUR! SHOT! The left-hander's elegance, just so beautiful. Yasir gives this air and keeps it around off. Khawaja skips down the track, gets to the pitch and handsomely drives through covers to get a boundary off the first ball of the over. |
| 104.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Goes back to defend this slower and short delivery on off. |
| 104.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, A very full ball on his pads is flicked to square leg by the southpaw to get a run. |
| 104.4 : Y Shah to Paine, A bit on the shorter side this, Paine punches this into the cover region. |
| 104.5 : Y Shah to Paine, The Aussie captain hs played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 104.6 : Y Shah to Paine, Tossed up ball around off, Paine has enough patience to block it out. |
| Haris Sohail comes into the attack now. |
| 105.1 : H Sohail to Khawaja, Very full delivery outside off, seeing the line Khawaja goes for the sweep and connects well to get off strike. |
| 105.2 : H Sohail to Paine, Paine punches this shorter delivery to cover-point. |
| 105.3 : H Sohail to Paine, Flatter and quicker on middle and leg, skids through and hits Paine on his pads who tries to flick but misses. |
| 105.4 : H Sohail to Paine, The right-hander rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball to covers. |
| Imam's has his left hand in the sling. We're told that he jarred his arm during a fielding effort before Lunch. Let's hope he will be fine soon. |
| 105.5 : H Sohail to Paine, Paine shoulder arms to this slow loopy ball outside off. |
| 105.6 : H Sohail to Paine, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 106.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Reverse sweep, his go to shot, plays it well but straight to the man at short third man. |
| 106.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Give him the best reverse sweeper award. Yasir keeps it a bit short and outside off. It is turning into the southpaw who has committed to the reverse sweep. Usman waits a bit longer to play a reverse pull to deep point for a single. |
| 106.3 : Y Shah to Paine, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 106.4 : Y Shah to Paine, Tossed up around off, Paine defends it easily. He is not taking any undue risks. |
| 106.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Gets forward and blocks this flighted ball on off. |
| 106.6 : Y Shah to Paine, The Aussie captain has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 107.1 : H Sohail to Khawaja, A bit shorter to start with on the middle stump line and turning into him, the southpaw works it nicely to square leg to earn a run. |
| 107.2 : H Sohail to Paine, Punched into the cover region off the back foot by Paine. |
| 107.3 : H Sohail to Paine, This one is down the leg side and TP leaves it alone. |
| Breaking news - Imam-ul-Haq has a fracture in his little finger and is out of the next Test match. |
| 107.4 : H Sohail to Paine, Slower and fuller ball is driven towards the mid-on region. |
| 107.5 : H Sohail to Paine, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 107.6 : H Sohail to Paine, A bit straight, attacking the stumps, Paine goes back and works it down the leg side. |
| Big effort this by the young Australian team. This is now the most overs batted by them in the fourth innings in Asia. Really commendable stuff. Meanwhile, there is a bowling change. Asad Shafiq to bowl the last over before Tea. |
| 108.1 : A Shafiq to Khawaja, Short and wide outside off to start, left alone. |
| 108.2 : A Shafiq to Khawaja, Fuller this on off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 108.3 : A Shafiq to Paine, Tim Paine shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 108.4 : A Shafiq to Paine, Better from Shafiq as he lands this a bit shorter than full length around off. Paine blocks it out from his crease. |
| 108.5 : A Shafiq to Paine, Slower and fuller just outside off. Trying to get it spin back into the batsman but the Aussie skipper easily strokes it to mid off. Playing for Tea, definitely. |
| 108.6 : A Shafiq to Paine, Keeps it wide of off, the perfect ball for a batsman before a break. Paine is happy to pad it away and he starts walking towards the dressing room. THAT'S TEA. |
| Yet another hard-fought session! Australia lost a couple of wickets soon after the Lunch break and when it appeared that Pakistan will once again run over them, the pair of Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine joined forces to steady the innings. A special mention for Khawaja, who has stroked a fabulous century and has largely looked unflustered. His presence is going to be the key for Australia in the final session. |
| Pakistan bowled a lot better than the morning session and the second new ball brought them luck. However, they failed to maintain the same pressure in the last hour of the afternoon session. The current partnership has seen off 119 balls and with a minimum of 31 overs more left in the day's play, it's heading towards an interesting finish. Can Pakistan pick the remaining five wickets? Do join us in a short while to find out. |
| ... Day 5, Session 3 ... |
| We are back! 31 overs to go for Australia to play out and salvage a draw, whereas Pakistan need another 5 wickets to win. Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine walk out to the middle and Wahab Riaz will start the proceedings. Here we go... |
| 109.1 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Starts off with a length ball outside off, Khawaja makes a leave. |
| 109.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, NO BALL! Riaz has overstepped. He bowls it on a length around off and it has been kept out. It was a marginal call, slightly harsh on the bowler. |
| W Riaz to Khawaja, On a length again around off, the batsman defends it. |
| 109.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Another good length delivery around off, Khawaja gets behind the line and defends it. |
| 109.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, A little too straight, Khawaja works it around the corner and gets to the other end. First run off the bat in this session. |
| 109.5 : W Riaz to Paine, Better from Wahab! He has bowled on a good length and line in this over so far. Around off and shaping away. The batsman keeps it out. |
| 109.6 : W Riaz to Paine, Hits the length again around middle, Paine covers his sticks and keeps it out. A disciplined over by Wahab. He was lacking that today. |
| Yasir Shah to bowl from the other end. |
| 110.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Almost! This one was nicely tossed up outside off, it pitches and turns back in. Khawaja lunges and tries to defend but it goes off the inner half, uppishly but just out of the reach of the short leg fielder. |
| 110.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Brings out his go-to shot, the reverse sweep, cracks it towards deep point for a run. That was really nicely hit, deserved more than a single. |
| 110.3 : Y Shah to Tim Paine, Floats it up on off, Paine stretches out and strokes it to covers. |
| 110.4 : Y Shah to Paine, Flatter and on middle, Paine defends it with his bat ahead of his pad, the modern way of defending. |
| 110.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Slightly short and Paine takes full toll of it. He cuts it through point and the batsmen run three. |
| 110.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Well fielded! Khawaja plays the conventional sweep this time, it is right off the middle again. It goes towards the backwrad square leg region. Ali in the deep runs to his left, dives and makes a good stop. Saves a couple for his side. |
| 111.1 : W Riaz to Paine, The left-arm quick starts the over with a full length ball around off from around the wicket. Paine eases it into covers coming forward. |
| 111.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Keep this full. Also switching sides for the southpaw. Gets it to tail into Khawaja from around off. Usman does well to play it out with soft hands. |
| 111.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Similar ball this, Khawaja again keeps it out from his crease. |
| 111.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, No ball, again. Luckily for Wahab and Pakistan he hasn't taking a wicket on a no ball. He will not forgive himself if he does that. Needs to be careful as many teams have lost important matches in the past just because of a wicket was taken on a no ball. Paine defends it from within the crease. |
| W Riaz to Paine, Fast and full on off, Paine has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 300 is up for Australia. What a fightback! |
| 111.5 : W Riaz to Paine, FOUR! Errs in length and line and pays the price. Fires this one a bit too full on his pads. The Aussie keeper flicks this through square leg for a boundary. 50-run stand comes up. Well played by these two. Another hour and a half to cope with. |
| 111.6 : W Riaz to Paine, On a good length around off this, Paine blocks it out with a straight bat and from within his crease. |
| 112.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Gives it a lot of air but ends up bowling a full toss. Khawaja easily strokes it through the vacant cover region for a brace. |
| 112.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, This time through the other side. Goes down on one knee and sweeps it to deep square leg for a run. |
| 112.3 : Y Shah to Paine, Another tossed up ball on middle, Paine pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 112.4 : Y Shah to Paine, Flatter and a touch shorter on middle, Paine punches it back to the bowler. Too easy this for the batters. |
| 112.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Nicely played! Yasir bowls a similar delivery to the last one, quicker and a touch shorter. This time he gets it to bounce a touch extra. Paine goes back, rides on top of the delivery and with soft hands plays it on the bounce to the first slip fielder. Very well done. |
| 112.6 : Y Shah to Paine, Fires this on the leg pole, Paine with the angle works it to mid-wicket. |
| 113.1 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Slightly shorter in length outside off, Khawaja uses the pace of the bowler and guides it through backward point for a couple. |
| 113.2 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Back of a length around off, the batsman blocks it out. |
| 113.3 : W Riaz to Khawaja, A little too wide outside off, Khawaja need not play at those. |
| 113.4 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Easy-peasy! Tails back in late but it is on his pads. UK flicks it away in style, through square leg and collects another couple. |
| 113.5 : W Riaz to Khawaja, Another in-dipper on middle, Khawaja with the swing, flicks it to mid-wicket for a run. How easily is he playing a bowler who is swinging the ball back in at 140 kph! Brilliant. |
| 113.6 : W Riaz to Paine, Back of a length around off, the batsman camps back and keeps it out. |
| 114.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Floats it up outside off, it turns back in. The batter works it to short leg. |
| 114.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Nicely reverse swept through backward point for a run. |
| 114.3 : Y Shah to Tim Paine, FOUR! Paine cuts and cuts hard! Slightly short and turning away. Paine tries to cut but the ball goes off the outside edge through short third man for a boundary. |
| 114.4 : Y Shah to Paine, Slows it up this time but bowls it outside off, the batsman makes a leave. |
| 114.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Now very full on off, Paine jams it out towards covers for another easy run. The skipper has now faced 100 deliveries. |
| 114.6 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Uses his feet again on middle, Khawaja flicks it with the turn through mid-wicket for a run. |
| Mohammad Abbas is into the attack. |
| 115.1 : M Abbas to Paine, Back of a length on off, Paine off the back foot pushes it to covers. |
| 115.2 : Abbas to Paine, A huge appeal but it is going down leg! Another inswinger on middle, Paine fails to flick it and gets hit high on the pads. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. |
| 115.3 : M Abbas to Paine, In the 5th stump channel, Paine knows where his off stump is, covers it and leaves it. |
| 115.4 : M Abbas to Paine, A little too short, sticks into the surface. Paine has all the time in the world to go back and keep it out. |
| 115.5 : M Abbas to Paine, Perfect! Hits the length around off, comes back in a touch. Paine tries to defend but the ball goes off the inner half towards square leg. |
| 115.6 : M Abbas to Paine, On the pads again, Paine flicks it to square leg. |
| 116.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Flighted ball outside off, Khawaja works it towards short fine leg. |
| 116.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Brings out the reverse sweep again, plays it a touch fine this time but the result is the same as his last reverse sweep, a single. |
| 116.3 : Y Shah to Paine, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 116.4 : Y Shah to Paine, Loopy ball on off, Paine blocks it out. |
| 116.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Flighted ball on off, Paine strokes it to mid off. |
| 116.6 : Y Shah to Tim Paine, Once again too full on middle, Paine easily negotiates it. Yasir has either bowled too full or a little too short. He has not hit the length he should on a consistent basis. However, there is still time for him to find his length. |
| 117.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Back of a length on off, Khawaja pushes it to mid on. |
| 117.2 : M Abbas to Khawaja, In the air but a very, very tough chance for the man at short leg who is standing a little deep. It went like a rocket, it had to stick. Full and on the pads, Khawaja clips it uppishly and right off the middle towards Rizwan, the substitute fielder, in that position. He tries to get two hands to it but the ball passes him even before he could react. A single taken. |
| 117.3 : M Abbas to Paine, Well bowled! It is that late inswing which got Finch and Marsh and the length is also fuller. Paine at the very last moment flicks it through square leg for a couple. |
| 117.4 : M Abbas to Paine, Back of a length on off, kept out. |
| 117.5 : M Abbas to Paine, On the shorter side again, Paine manages to defend it. Abbas has to bowl full, that is where he is at his lethal pace. The length he bowled on this delivery won't trouble the batsman at his pace. |
| 117.6 : M Abbas to Paine, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| The offie, Bilal Asif, comes back into the attack. |
| 118.1 : B Asif to Paine, Very full and tossed up ball on off, Kept out easily by Paine off the front foot. |
| 118.2 : B Asif to Paine, Identical delivery and a similar defense by the Aussie skipper. |
| A review for LBW is taken. The batsman in question is Tim Paine as he is given not out and Pakistan have gone for the DRS. |
| 118.3 : B Asif to Paine, Makes an impact on the third ball itself. Keeps it a bit shorter than full length on off. Paine goes back on this and that could have been very costly. The ball spins in, and it seems to have taken a slight inside edge before hitting his pads. The Pakistan players go up in a huge appeal. They know this is maybe their last chance to get back in the game. Skipper Sarfraz has a chat with the bowler and some of his players and then signals 'T'. Okay then, replays roll in and |
| 118.4 : B Asif to Paine, Gets on the front foot and blocks it near his pads. |
| 118.5 : B Asif to Paine, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 118.6 : B Asif to Paine, Paine skips down the track to this full length ball and pushes it back to Bilal. End of a good over by the offie. |
| 119.1 : M Abbas to Khawaja, On the pads, easily clipped away to fine leg for a run. |
| 119.2 : M Abbas to Paine, Length ball again around off, Paine lunges forward and defends it to mid off. |
| 119.3 : M Abbas to Paine, Another length ball which comes back in from around off, Paine defends it back to the bowler. |
| 119.4 : M Abbas to Paine, Good length outside off, the batsman watchfully lets it be. |
| 119.5 : M Abbas to Paine, Just ahead of a length outside off, Paine pushes it towards mid off. |
| 119.6 : M Abbas to Paine, Another ball left and that ends another over which has been negotiated with ease. Another 20 to go. |
| 120.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Slower through the air outside off, Khawaja goes for the sweep but he is a touch early in the shot. The ball hits the toe end and then onto the ground. |
| 120.2 : B Asif to Khawaja, Flatter around middle, Khawaja goes back and blocks it. |
| 120.3 : B Asif to Khawaja, Loopy ball on off, Khawaja times it through covers and gets to the other end. |
| 120.4 : B Asif to Paine, Gives it air on off, the batsman prods forward and blocks it out. |
| 120.5 : B Asif to Paine, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 120.6 : B Asif to Paine, Some extra bounce on that one! Floated up around middle, it turns back in and also takes off. Paine tries to defend but it goes off the inside edge towards square leg for a run. |
| 121.1 : M Abbas to Paine, Fuller around off, Paine pushes it to mid off. |
| 121.2 : M Abbas to Paine, The away swinger this time from outside off, Paine watches it move away and leaves it. |
| 121.3 : M Abbas to Paine, Outside off, the batsman shoulders arms. |
| 121.4 : M Abbas to Paine, Attacks the off pole again, the batter guides it towards point. |
| 121.5 : M Abbas to Paine, A full toss to end the over. Maybe he was going for a yorker but misses by quite a lot. Paine flicks it through mid-wicket and takes three. |
| 121.6 : M Abbas to Khawaja, Angles this in and then gets it to shape away. Khawaja defends it towards point. |
| 122.1 : B Asif to Paine, A huge, huge appeal but the umpire is not convinced! No reviews left also. It was down the leg side, Paine tries to flick but he seems to have missed it. Sarfraz takes it and appeals but the umpire shakes his head. |
| 122.2 : B Asif to Paine, A nothing delivery! Too short and outside off, Paine cuts it but finds the man at covers who makes a good diving stop. |
| 122.3 : B Asif to Paine, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 122.4 : B Asif to Paine, Floats it up on off, kept out. |
| A direct hit! It has been taken upstairs. Paine is the man in question but he seems to be fine. |
| 122.5 : B Asif to Paine, Tosses it up on off, Paine defends it out. |
| Yasir Shah comes back into the attack. |
| 122.6 : B Asif to Paine, NOT OUT! Now we know why there was no excitement as Paine was in quite easily. Bilal tosses it up on middle, Paine strokes it towards mid on. He calls for a run and his partner obliges. The fielder in that position scores a direct hit at the bowler's end and appeals. The umpire takes it upstairs and the replays show Paine is fine. However, not sure if such runs are needed to be taken. A run out is the last thing you want as this stage. |
| 123.1 : Y Shah to Paine, Tossed up and a bit short this, Paine punches it back to Yasir. |
| 123.2 : Y Shah to Paine, Absolutely identical delivery and shot offered. |
| 123.3 : Y Shah to Paine, Similar length but a bit outside off, Paine cuts it to short third man. |
| 123.4 : Y Shah to Paine, A bit too short again, needs to keep it a bit fuller. Paine goes back to punch this to mid on. |
| 123.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 123.6 : Y Shah to Paine, Again the Aussie skipper goes back to this flatter delivery on middle, flicks it to square leg. A minimum of 16 overs remaining now. |
| 124.1 : B Asif to Khawaja, Flatter and shorter outside off, Usman cuts it through cover-point and gets off strike. |
| 124.2 : B Asif to Paine, Much better from Bilal as he lands this a bit fuller on off, Paine though copes with it nicely by defending it off the front foot. |
| 124.3 : B Asif to Paine, Flat and quick again, not much air given by the offie. Paine flicks it to square leg. |
| 124.4 : B Asif to Paine, A bit too straight again, TP flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 124.5 : B Asif to Paine, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 124.6 : B Asif to Paine, Paine stays back to this loopy ball around off, dead bats it to end the over. |
| Drinks. Australia on track to save this match. What a great effort it shall be if they do manage to do it. Last opportunity for Pakistan this, their bowlers need to come up with something special now if they want to go 1-0 up in the series. The final hour begins... |
| 125.1 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Apart from the time when the tourists collapsed in their first innings, UK has been on the ground at all times of this match. Goes for the sweep again but this time misses to get hit on the pads. The impact though is way outside off. |
| 125.2 : Y Shah to Khawaja, Tossed up on of, pushes to mid on. |
| A review has been taken against an LBW decision. The batsman in question is Khawaja. Looks close this. Have Pakistan got a breakthrough? |
| 125.3 : Y Shah to Khawaja, OUT! Full ball around off spinning into Usman. The southpaw goes for the sweep shot but surprisingly misses to get hit on the pads. It looks pretty adjacent as the Pakistan players shout out an appeal. The umpire raises his finger. UK has a chat with his skipper before signaling the 'T'. He has no other option but to go for it. So, the replays roll in. Snicko shows no involvement of the willow. The impact is in line and it is hitting the stumps. Three reds and the match |
| Mitchell Starc comes out to bat. |
| 125.4 : Y Shah to Starc, Starc goes on the back foot to this slower and shorter in length delivery and blocks it out. Two more to handle in this over. |
| 125.5 : Y Shah to Starc, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 125.6 : Y Shah to Starc, Almost got him. Yasir floats this one up just a bit wide of off. Starc lunges forward to defend but misses the ball to get hit on the body, outside the line of off. |
| 126.1 : B Asif to Paine, A bit too straight this from Bilal, Paine goes back to glances it to long leg and get a run to go off strike. |
| 126.2 : B Asif to Starc, Starc goes back to this slower and shortish ball around off, taps it into the point region and runs to the other end. |
| 126.3 : B Asif to Paine, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 126.4 : B Asif to Paine, Tossed up around off, Paine goes forward and blocks it out without much trouble. |
| 126.5 : B Asif to Paine, A bit shorter again on middle and off. Paine tries to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. |
| 126.6 : B Asif to Paine, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 127.1 : Y Shah to Starc, OUT! WATTA CATCH, MATCH WINNING PROBABLY! Do not go anywhere folks, this match is going right down to the wire. It is going to be very interesting from now. Yasir bowls this slow and lands it a bit shorter on middle. Starc goes back and tries to turn it into the leg side. The ball spins and bounces that bit extra and the southpaw is not able to keep his shot down. It goes to the right of short leg at a decent pace where Babar Azam is positioned. He dives to his right at c |
| 0.0 : Peter Siddle is the new batsman in. |
| 127.2 : Y Shah to Siddle, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 127.3 : Y Shah to Siddle, Siddle defends it from within the crease. |
| 127.4 : Y Shah to Siddle, OUT! Australia are now falling like nine pins! Two in the over for Yasir Shah. He was wicket-less in the first innings but now has 4. He has turned the game around on its head. What a bowler! Another leg spinner by him around middle and leg. It pitches and skids through. Siddle goes back and tries to flick but misses. He gets hit high on the back bad but due to him being so deep inside the crease the umpire agrees with the appeal. Siddle walks back without troubling the |
| Nathan Lyon is the new man in. |
| 127.5 : Y Shah to Lyon, Flatter and quicker outside off, left alone. |
| 127.6 : Y Shah to Lyon, Another flatter delivery on off, Lyon punches it to covers. End of a double-wicket maiden by Yasir Shah. |
| 128.1 : B Asif to Paine, Another appeal for bat-pad at short leg, Not Out. Bilal tosses this up around off, Paine this time goes back looking to flick it onto the leg side, misses the ball and the ball hits his pads before going to the man at short leg. Stifled appeal is turned down as there was no bat there. |
| 128.2 : B Asif to Paine, Goes back to this shorter in length ball and punches through covers to take a brace. |
| 128.3 : B Asif to Paine, Flighted and fuller this on middle and leg, turning further down. Paine offers his pads. |
| 128.4 : B Asif to Paine, Tossed up ball this around off, Paine lunges forward in a solid defense. |
| 128.5 : B Asif to Paine, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 128.6 : B Asif to Paine, Beautiful bowling by the offie. Keeps it on a fuller length just on off from around the wicket. Paine from his crease plays for the spin. The ball though goes straight on to beat Paine's outside edge. There are a plenty of Oohs Oohs Aahs there. Very close. 11 overs more to go. |
| 129.1 : Y Shah to Lyon, Tosses it up around off, Lyon keeps it out. |
| 129.2 : Y Shah to Lyon, Flatter and outside off, the batsman lets it be. |
| 129.3 : Y Shah to Lyon, Loopy ball on middle, Lyon pushes it through mid on. |
| 129.4 : Y Shah to Lyon, Bowls it down the leg side, Lyon flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 129.5 : Y Shah to Lyon, On the stumps, kept out. This is what Lyon has to do, get bat to ball on every ball which is bowled on the stumps. |
| 129.6 : Y Shah to Lyon, Like that! It is on the stumps and Lyon keeps it out. |
| 130.1 : B Asif to Paine, Very full around off, too full in fact as Paine can easily block it out. |
| 130.2 : B Asif to Tim Paine, Fuller again on off, Paine this time drives it gently to mid on. |
| 130.3 : B Asif to Paine, Comes forward nicely to defend it but gets an inside edge. Luckily for him the ball goes straight down. |
| 130.4 : B Asif to Paine, A bit short this on off, punched back to the bowler. |
| 130.5 : B Asif to Paine, FOUR! Whipped for a boundary. Bilal tries the doosra and errs in line. Paine goes back and whips this, a bit uppish, very fine through the leg side to get a boundary. Runs are irrelevant now. |
| 130.6 : B Asif to Paine, Wide down the leg side, no trouble at all for Paine who lets it be. |
| Mohammad Abbas comes back into the attack. |
| 131.1 : M Abbas to Lyon, Attack the stumps must be the orders given to the seamer. He lands this on a good length with an inward shape on it. Lyon blocks it with a straight dead bat. |
| 131.2 : M Abbas to Lyon, Much better this from Lyon. Similar ball from Abbas but this time Lyon confidently comes forward and defends solidly onto the ground. |
| 131.3 : M Abbas to Lyon, Strays down the leg side. Nathan goes for the flick but luckily misses for Sarfraz to dive to his left and grab it. A waste of a delivery this. |
| 131.4 : M Abbas to Lyon, Other ball wasted. Similar to the previous one but this time it brushes Lyon's pads before going to Sarfraz behind. |
| 131.5 : M Abbas to Lyon, Lyon has played that off the front foot and into the ground. Well played. |
| 131.6 : M Abbas to Lyon, Well negotiated from Nathan Lyon, he survives. Abbas goes for the full in-swinging yorker. Gets it right on target but Nathan is good enough to dig it out. |
| 132.1 : Y Shah to Paine, Big Appeal for a catch at silly mid off. Paine survives. Yasir tosses this one up and lands it just outside leg. Paine comes forward a bit looking to block it. The ball though sneaks between his bat and pads, hits his pads and balloons to the fielder at short mid off. An appeal ensues but the umpire correctly has given it not out. |
| 132.2 : Y Shah to Paine, Shorter in length and a bit outside off, Paine punches this through point and takes a brace. |
| 132.3 : Y Shah to Paine, Paine is not letting any scoring opportunity go by, still. He again camps back to this shorter in length ball and again punches it through point to pick up yet another couple. |
| 132.4 : Y Shah to Paine, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 132.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Big appeal again, not out again. Yasir lands this a bit outside leg from over the wicket, getting the ball to spin away from Paine. The ball however skids through and hits the Aussie skipper on his pads. The hosts go up in an appeal but the umpire shakes his head. No reviews left for Pakistan, however it was missing the stumps. |
| 132.6 : Y Shah to Paine, Bottom edge, just bounces over the stumps. End result - the batsman survives, just. A yorker length delivery this, Paine looks to dig it out but gets a bottom edge. The bag bounces up and goes behind from over the stumps. |
| 133.1 : M Abbas to Lyon, Lyon won't mind this. He lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 133.2 : M Abbas to Lyon, On his pads this time, Lyon flicks it through square leg to get three and get off strike. |
| 133.3 : M Abbas to Paine, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 133.4 : M Abbas to Paine, FOUR! Almost, almost! Kissing the leg stump perhaps. Abbas cleverly bowls an off cutter just outside off. Paine is beaten in pace as he hangs his bat away from his body looking to block it. The ball lands and turns back in to take the inside edge. The cherry goes past the leg stump and there was absolutely no gap between the ball and the leg pole when the ball passed it and through to the boundary at fine leg. Luckily Lyon. |
| 133.5 : M Abbas to Paine, Big appeal for LBW, not out. Abbas again comes up with a beautiful in-dipper. He dishes this on a good length shaping in to the batsman. Paine looking to block it gets beaten and the ball hits his pads. The Pakistan players go up in a big appeal but the umpire immediately denies as the ball was going down the leg side. Interesting cricket, very interesting. Who says Test cricket is boring? Show them this match. |
| 133.6 : M Abbas to Paine,Almost, almost! Kissing the leg stump perhaps. Abbas cleverly bowls an off cutter just outside off. Lyon is beaten in pace as he hangs his bat away from his body looking to block it. The ball lands and turns back in to take the inside edge. The cherry goes past the leg stump and there was absolutely no gap between the ball and the leg pole when the ball passed it and through to the boundary at fine leg. Luckily Lyon. |
| 134.1 : Y Shah to Lyon, A low full toss and it has been pushed to covers. |
| 134.2 : Y Shah to Lyon, Tosses it up on the stumps, Lyon keeps it out. This is what he should be bowling all the time. No full tosses, no short balls, he just has to hit the perfect length in all the overs he will bowl in the last 5 left. |
| 134.3 : Y Shah to Lyon, Bowls it short, not what Sarfraz would want. Lyon goes back and slaps it towards covers. |
| 134.4 : Y Shah to Lyon, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 134.5 : Y Shah to Lyon, BEATEN! Sarfraz would love this! The straighter one outside off, Lyon plays inside the line and gets beaten. |
| 134.6 : Y Shah to Lyon, Plays the over out! 30 more balls to play out for the Australians as Lyon defends the ball on middle. |
| 135.1 : M Abbas to Paine, With 5 overs to go Abbas starts this one with a shortish delivery around off. That makes it easier for Paine to stay back in his crease and block it out onto the ground. |
| 135.2 : M Abbas to Paine, This is what he does not want to do, straying down leg. The length is good again but the line is not as the ball brushes Paine's pads before going in Sarfraz's mitts. |
| 135.3 : M Abbas to Paine, Better ball and a better defense. A good length ball on off shaping in, Paine plays it straight back. |
| 135.4 : M Abbas to Paine, Good length on off, gets behind this nicely and keeps it out from within his crease. |
| 135.5 : M Abbas to Paine, Good defense from the Aussie captain again as he has kept out this good length ball coming into him with ease. |
| 135.6 : M Abbas to Paine, On his pads this and Paine wrists this away to square leg. That's the end of the over. 24 deliveries remaining in this Test match. |
| 136.1 : B Asif to Lyon, Very full and flighted ball in line with the stumps. Lyon defends with his bat in front of his pads. |
| 136.2 : B Asif to Lyon, A bit shorter this on off, Nathan looking to work it away onto the leg side misses it and gets rapped on his pads but not adjacent to the stumps. |
| 136.3 : B Asif to Lyon, Tossed up ball around off, good technique shown by Lyon as he comes forward and blocks it out. |
| 136.4 : B Asif to Lyon, Well played Nathan. He prods forward on this fuller length ball on off and defends it by coming forward and smothering the spin. |
| 136.5 : B Asif to Lyon, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 136.6 : B Asif to Lyon, Survives! Lyon again lunges right forward, reaches to the pitch of the ball and keeps it out. 18 more balls to go. |
| 137.1 : Y Shah to Paine, A bit shorter in length this around off, Paine goes back and punches this to covers. |
| 137.2 : Y Shah to Paine, The inside edge again to the rescue. Paine looking to block this one on middle from the crease, the ball skids through gets the inner edge and hits his pads. |
| 137.3 : Y Shah to Paine, The Aussie skipper lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 137.4 : Y Shah to Paine, Rapped on the pads but not out. Paine comes forward to this slightly quicker delivery on off. He is playing for the spin but the ball goes straight after pitching. Luckily for the Aussie captain it takes the inside edge before rapping his pads. That saves him. |
| 137.5 : Y Shah to Paine, Beaten! Beauty from Shah. Gives this a lot of air and keeps it full around off. Paine comes forward looking to defend but the ball pitches and spins sharply away. The main thing though is that it misses his outside edge completely and Paine survives. |
| 137.6 : Y Shah to Paine, Flatter on middle, Paine keeps it out. |
| 138.1 : B Asif to Lyon, Howzzat? Not out is the answer to that question. Pakistan players have their hands on their head but can't hlep it as there are no reviews left. Bilal tosses it up around middle, it spins back in. Lyon tries to play it with the turn but he seems to have missed it. The ball lobs towards short leg. The player takes it and appeals but the umpire shakes his head. By looking at the replay, it seems like Lyon had missed it. |
| 138.2 : B Asif to Lyon, No turn on this one and it is a touch fuller. Lyon defends it out. |
| 138.3 : B Asif to Lyon, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 138.4 : B Asif to Lyon, A waste of a delivery! Down the leg side, Lyon tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball once again lobs towards short leg. |
| 138.5 : B Asif to Lyon, FOUR BYES! Another waste of a delivery! Sliding down and it is quicker. Sarfraz has no chance of collecting it. It races to the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 138.6 : B Asif to Lyon, Three poor deliveries to end the over! Sums up his day today, just not bowled the way he did in the first innings. It is once again on the pads. Lyon flicks it fine down the leg side and takes a couple. |
| 6 balls remaining. It has all boiled down to this. Yasir Shah has the ball in hand. An umbrella field there. Pressure everywhere. |
| 139.1 : Y Shah to Tim Paine, The first one is a tossed up ball around off, spinning away. Paine looks to block it off the front foot but it takes the outer half of his bat and runs down to third man. The batsman start running and that gives a lot of tension to the Australian dressing room. Luckily for the Aussies, the batsmen are able to come back for a brace. Paine is still on strike. |
| 139.2 : Y Shah to Paine, This one is a flighted ball and full on off, Paine does really well to drive it through long off and get another brace. You should never miss out on Test runs, they never come easy. |
| 139.3 : Y Shah to Paine, Yasir gives this a bit more air, hoping for some extra spin and bounce. The Australian captain though is up to it as he defends it with a dead straight bat onto the ground off the front foot. |
| 139.4 : Y Shah to Tim Paine, Oh! The outer half of the bat found here but it flies past the second slip fielder. It went straight down onto the ground though. Now just 2 more to go. Pakistan will have to strike on the next ball... |
| 139.5 : Y Shah to Paine, IT'S A DRAW! Everyone is nervous as Yasir bowls a flighted ball on middle and off. Paine watchfully defends it. A magnificent effort by the skipper as he comes up with a perfect captain's knock to save this Test match. The Australian balcony is delighted. Now, we are seeing the players shaking hands in the middle. That's it then. |
| The game ends in a DRAW! What a monumental achievement for Australia. Not many gave them a chance of batting out the whole day today but they have risen against the odds and have managed to do so. Kudos to Tim Paine, what a time to deliver. The Australian skipper walks off to a standing ovation and he deserves every bit of it. |
| We entered into the final session with Pakistan needing five wickets and Australia needing to play out 31 overs. The first hour, like most the of the hours today, belonged to the Aussies. Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine grinded it out and when the two were batting, the only result which looked possible was a draw. However, the game came to life in the last hour. In fact, Yasir Shah came to life in the last hour. He got rid of the centurion and then took two in one over to turn the tide in Pakistan's |
| Pakistan though would be very disappointed. They had this game in the bag but failed to capitalize on the final day. Firstly, they posted a huge first innings score, courtesy Hafeez and Sohail's century. Then, after Finch and Khawaja gave the ideal start to Australia in the first innings by adding a huge 142-run stand, the virtual hosts bounced back in some style. Bilal Asif, the debutant, and Mohammad Abbas did all the damage and helped Pakistan gain a huge 280-run lead. |
| After deciding not to enforce the follow-on, which many can now say cost them the game, Pakistan built on their advantage and with contributions from quite a few of their batsmen, they took their lead close to 500. With around five sessions to negotiate, once again Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja started off well putting together an 87-run partnership. But post that the devil's number struck the Aussies and they lost three wickets on the same score. |
| Day 5 saw a new hero emerge for the Kangaroos. Usman Khawaja, who has faced so much criticism in the past, silenced all his critics in some style. Yes, he was given a life by Asad Shafiq but take nothing away from the southpaw's innings. He, along with Travis Head, first chewed up 292 balls for the 4th wicket and then combined with his skipper Tim Paine to battle out another 220 deliveries. The Islamabad-born man got to his first ton in Asia and broke several records in the process. He would be |
| Man of the Match, Usman Khawaja, says that he was just thinking to bat as long as possible. Feels that the pitch was getting tougher and tougher as the game went ahead. Informs that as a team they thought that if they are able to cope well in the first and second sessions today, then they will have a good chance of saving this Test. Also credits Pakistan for a great match and their sportsman spirit. Mentions that such an innings to save a match means a lot to him. Regarding the reverse sweep, th |
| Pakistan captain, Sarfraz Ahmed, says he hoped to win this Test after a great performance on the first three days but credits Usman Khawaja for the way he batted today. Feels the Aussie opener was the one who saved the match. Mentions about the amazing reverse sweep shots that Khawaja played which he feels was a really good solution to counter the rough patches outside the off stump. States that in Test cricket you learn as you play more games. Regarding the positive points he can take from the |
| Australia captain, Tim Paine, calls it a tough match. Feels that his team played some outstanding cricket and is very proud to achieve a draw in the end. Admits that they had made some plans during the first innings, but they experienced a bit of a collapse and failed to put up a good total. Is proud of the efforts of his boys in the second innings. Again admits that he was very nervous in the last hour. Feels that on such a pitch, when a batsman gets set, it becomes much easier to stay out ther |
| So that is it from this game. We had five days of attritional cricket and it turned out to be a very exciting finish, one which just shows why Test cricket is still the best format. A fair result in the end and now it is all to play for in the second and final Test between the two teams. It starts on the 16th of October in Abu Dhabi at 1000 local (0600 GMT). Do join us then. Cheers! |
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