PERTH – Skilled batters Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja powered Australia to a dominating 300- run lead in opposition to Pakistan on the conclusion of Day Three of the primary Take a look at on Saturday.
Australia, after having a disastrous begin to their second innings, recovered to 84/2 on the stumps on Day Three with Smith and Khawaja agency on the crease. The hosts succumbed to five/2 within the eighth over when Khurram Shahzad eliminated David Warner (0) and Marnus Labuschagne (2) in fast succession. However, Khawaja was then joined by Smith they usually batted sensibly to anchor the house facet.
Pakistan resumed their first innings at 132/2 with Imam-ul-Haq and nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad on the crease. It took simply three deliveries for Australian captain Pat Cummins to eliminate Shahzad, who may rating a mere three.
Imam was then joined by Babar Azam they usually put together a short partnership for the fourth wicket. They added an vital 48 runs earlier than Mitchell Marsh claimed the prized scalp of Babar. The star batter may rating 21 in 54 deliveries with the assistance of two boundaries.
In the meantime, Pakistan’s principalkeep Imam additionally walked again to the dugout after falling sufferer to Nathan Lyon. He remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a cautious 62. His 199-ball knock featured six boundaries. Pakistan then additional slipped to 195/6 when Mitchell Starc outclassed wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed (3) with a sensational in-swinger.
All-rounder Salman Ali Agha then joined Saud Shakeel within the center they usually provided a short retaliation in opposition to a ruthless Australian bowling assault. They stitched a 35-run partnership and took Pakistan previous the 200- run mark however couldn’t stretch their stand as Josh Hazlewood removed Saud, who scored 28.
Agha then placed on temporary halfnerships with Faheem Ashraf (9), Aamir Jamal (10) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (4) earlier than Australia booked Pakistan on 271. He remained stranded on the crease with an unbeaten 28 in 76 deliveries, laced with 4 boundaries.
For Australia, Nathan Lyon picked up three wickets whereas Mitchell Starc and Pat Cumminutes bagged two every. Marsh and Travis Head, alternatively, had a wicket apiece to their names. Attaining a massive lead of greater than 200 runs, Australian captain Cumminutes determined in opposition to implementing the follow-on on Pakistan.