- Australia at 187-3 after threats
- Weather interruptions; Labuschagne’s vigilance
- Pakistan’s improved bowling, fielding struggles
Boxing Day, the second Test, Australia reached stumps at 187-3 after avoiding precipitation and enduring severe threats from Pakistan’s improved bowling attack.
The tourists delivered 66 overs to Australia despite losing nearly three hours to inclement weather on Tuesday. Shan Masood, the captain of Pakistan, won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Travis Head [nine not out] and a vigilant Marnus Labuschagne [44 not out from 120 balls] will return to the crease on Wednesday. Head was injured by a flying ball to the shoulder after Shaheen Afridi inadvertently completed a full toss.
Despite prompt play on Tuesday, the sky rapidly darkened after lunch, and participants dispersed in the middle of the second session.
As MCG lights were activated, spectators were advised to “seek shelter from exposed areas” due to severe weather.
After a 170-minute absence, players returned to the pitch as the match was extended by an additional 90 minutes beyond the originally scheduled stumps time.
During that time, Pakistan achieved a significant breakthrough when Aamer Jamal dismissed Steve Smith (26) after a successful LBW review.
However, Pakistan could have had a much brighter day after Usman Khawaja and David Warner scored 90 runs as openers to punish the tourists for some shoddy fielding.
Warner’s Missed Catch Raises Eyebrows
Abdullah Shafique dismissed Warner at first slip off the final delivery of Afridi’s second over.
Former Australia coach Justin Langer was astounded when Shafique fumbled a catch while Warner was on two.
“That is about as simple a catch as you will ever see in Test cricket,” Langer said. Although it may make him queasy, such behaviour is not sanctioned on an international scale.
Before noon, the final delivery by part-time spinner Agha Salman (1-3) dismissed Warner for 38, instilling Pakistan with much-needed assurance.
Warner amassed 18,515 runs in all formats, surpassing Steve Waugh’s record of 18,496 runs scored by an Australian in international cricket.
Khawaja was dismissed for 42 early in the middle session after a sloppy shot off Hasan Ali’s (1-21) bowling.
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Khawaja’s Unique Tribute and Pakistan’s Bowling Resurgence
During the Boxing Day Test, Khawaja intended to demonstrate solidarity with those enduring suffering in the Middle East’s ongoing conflict.
On Boxing Day, instead, the opener for Australia donned footwear bearing the names of his two children, Aisha and Ayla.
Since the infamously tedious drawn Ashes in 2017, the MCG ground has been bowler-friendly, one reason Masood elected to bowl first.
Hasan Ali, Afridi, Jamal, and Mir Hamza generated more swing and seam action than in Perth.
Ali stated, “We are a little unfortunate in that we have not taken enough wickets, but on the plus side, we have not conceded enough runs to them.”
While Australia remained unchanged for the match, Pakistan made three substitutions, one of which was the wicket-keeper.
Mohammad Rizwan was reinstated to the squad subsequent to his unexpected omission from the XI in Perth. Where Pakistan elected to field veteran Sarfaraz Ahmed in the wicketkeeping position.
