Pakistan fought back well after being pegged back early to leave the first Test against Australia in balance after the first day’s play. You can follow the live scores and blog of the second day of this first Test starting 5pm AEDT.
It was deemed to be slow pitch which had no green on it, and there were enough cracks to suggest that it would assist slow bowlers. Both teams had opted for the extra spinner too, which meant that winning the toss was going to be crucial.
PAKISTAN VS AUSTRALIA – DAY 5 LIVE SCORES AND BLOG
Pakistan seemed to have made a mess of batting first when both their openers fell before they had even reached double-figures. 19 balls into the game, Pakistan were 2/7 and their batting horrors from the limited-overs series seemed to be coming true again.
It was their more experienced middle-order that saved the day for Pakistan.
Younis Khan had come into the Test on the back of issues with the Pakistani management. After being selected in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, he was unceremoniously dropped from the squad despite having featured in just one game.
A miffed Younis had reacted emotionally in the media and asked the selectors to get rid of him even in the Tests but the PCB chairman Shahrayar Khan intervened, had a quiet word with him and overlooked the outburst.
Despite this, the pressure would have been on the former Pakistani captain to try and prove his mettle to his team and he did just that.
After the initial struggle to get runs against a stifling Australian attack, Younis got into his stride in the second session and by the time the day was into the final passage of play, he was batting like there was nothing wrong with the pitch.
Younis got to his 25th Test century with a six, which was a sign of how confident he had grown from the start of his which had seen him score just one from 34 deliveries.
Not that Australia allowed Pakistan to ever get away from their sights despite the ‘hosts’ losing just four wickets through the day.
At 4/219, which included an Azhar Ali half-century to go with Younis’ century, it still continues to remain anybody’s game but some of it could depend on how the first one hour of play will go on the second day.
Listen to the match live with Roar Radio:
Mitchell Johnson, who had stunning figures of 3/22 from 20 overs, continues to remain a threat but with the new ball only 10 overs old, even Peter Siddle will be a difficult proposition to face up to. If they can get a couple out in those first 10 overs on Day 2, Australia could well restrict Pakistan to a below-par total on this pitch.
Pakistan have batted a day on this pitch and would have had a general idea about how much will push them into the realms of safety.
Anywhere between 350 and 400 will be good, especially given the slow nature of the track is making strokeplay not the easiest of proposition.
Join me for the second day of this first Test between Pakistan and Australia on Thursday here and you can follow the live score of this game from 5pm. If you want to get involved in the banter, feel free to post your comments below.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The live coverage of the third day's play can be found here now: http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/10/24/pakistan-vs-australia-first-test-match-day-3-live-scores-blog/
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Players reported in domestic tournaments can continue playing in internationals till they get reported in an international. Hafeez got reported in IPL, so he is on the black-list of IPL but not international tournaments/series.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Because Hafeez was only reported by one umpire for a suspect action (in an IPL game no less) by one umpire, whereas Ajmal was reported by basically all the match officials at once and was found to have an action that was illegal for basically every delivery he bowled (and the report came in a test match).
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
I was wondering the same thing
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
If you were referring to my comment below re Rogers, I wasn't writing him off. Just lamenting that if he doesn't make runs this series (which I think he will) his time could be up because of his age. One poor series might be all she wrote for him. I love the Rogers/Warner combo and hope they're together for the Ashes next year.
Craig Watson
Guest
Can someone tell me why Hafeez was allowed to bowl in this test when he was called for chucking recently. Why wasn't he suspended like Ajmal? Perhaps only the ICC have the answer.
Craig Watson
Guest
Don't be too harsh on Marsh and Siddle. They are bowling on a dirt road.
Craig Watson
Guest
What's going on. How come i have two posts of same ?
Don Freo
Guest
Whoops the site is strange tonight 'Bad Gateway'. 5 more sessions and we should have a lead of 250/300 and last use of a pitch that the spinners, Lyon and Smith, can exploit. Not sure O'Keefe got those tailenders out, I think they got themselves out going for quick runs.
Craig Watson
Guest
No SS Clarke has not learnt from the 2013 Ashes. Said the same in another blog ... far too many boundaries allowed to third man. There was only need for two slips on such a low, slow deck, so there should have been a third man stationed. The Pakistan bats had a field day just opening the face and gliding them down there. I estimated about 50 as well. On another subject: How was Hafeez allowed to bowl in a test match when he was called for chucking recently. Why wasn't he suspended like teamate Ajmal? ICC please explain!!!
Craig Watson
Guest
No SS Clarke has not learnt from the 2013 Ashes. Said the same in another blog ... far too many boundaries allowed to third man. There was only need for two slips on such a low, slow deck, so there should have been a third man stationed. The Pakistan bats had a field day just opening the face and gliding them down there. I estimated about 50 as well.
Don Freo
Guest
Tee hee
Don Freo
Guest
Are Roar people familiar with that Cricinfo term?
Don Freo
Guest
Tee hee
Silver Sovereign
Guest
A very good end of the day for Australia. People writing off Rogers are crazy. He has fought through the hard stuff to get to 31. You cant have both openers being big hitters. This is why these two guys are a good opening partnership. Warner can blast away while Rogers can blunt the attack. O'Keefe had an ok first innings bowling and will be much better for that run after getting some tail enders out. Lyon could have had a couple more. Both should be more effective in the next innings. Siddle with only one and Marsh with zip should have questions asked of them. I thought Clarke had learned from the 2013 ashes when Bell got a million runs through third man. Yet he gifted Pakistan about 50 through there in this innings. The Aussies need at least 350. Pakistan can be fragile. The Aussies will be more acclimatized to the conditions in the second innings. We have to remember they haven't played much red ball cricket for a while
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Rogers scrapes through to the end of day's play on 31, Warner smashes 75 from 77 balls to keep the match well in balance. They have reduced 113 from their deficit of 454, which is what Pakistan got in the first innings. If Australia can maintain their wickets tomorrow, they should be able to wipe off the lead by end of day tomorrow, however, that's not saying much. A wicket or two, especially that of Warner, could slow down the scoring and could add a twist or three to the proceedings. The pitch continues to remain slow, and it has been the batting of Sarfaraz Ahmed and David Warner that has reduced those demons to nothing. Can others follow suit on day three? Can Pakistan tighten their noose by choking the runs or picking up wickets regularly? We are left with many possibilities and this potentially, enthralling Test will continue tomorrow. I will be there too for this live blog, be sure to be with me. Till then, drop me a line on Twitter if you are there, @suneerchowdhary is where I am! Ciao!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And that is that, end of the day's play with Australia at 0/113.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The ball's definitely tailing in for both bowlers, now a matter of getting the right areas for Imran and Rahat. They have only three overs left though. 0/111 in 30
Johnno
Guest
Warner to get century
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Poor ball from Imran Khan, on the pads of Warner, who only needs some bat on it and it's glanced down to fine-leg for a four. Nathan Lyon's getting ready to take over the role of a night watchman in case of a wicket. 27 balls remaining. 0/106 in 28.2