We are two days into the opening Test between Pakistan and Australia and there is very little to choose between the two sides. You can follow the live blog of the third day of this first Test starting 4 pm AEST.
Pakistan recovered from a poor start on the first day to get to 4/219 by stumps but they were criticised for their slow batting in many quarters. By the end of their innings, they had more than recovered in terms of their run-rate as well and saw a second batsman get to a century in the game.
PAKISTAN VS AUSTRALIA – DAY 5 LIVE SCORES AND BLOG
After a Younis Khan master-class in patience and experience pulled Pakistan out of trouble by stumps on first day, it was the dare-devilry of wicket-keeper Sarfaraz Ahmed that overshadowed some of the other fine batting performances in the Pakistani team.
Misbah ul Haq and Asad Shafiq shrugged off any dangers that Nathan Lyon looked to dish out late on the first day and while the Pakistan captain perished attempting a stroke that couldn’t quite be termed as second nature to him, he seemed to have done his job.
Because once he got out for 69, it was the Sarfaraz shot-making show that left the Aussie bowlers a tad clueless on a placid pitch.
Shafiq should have got to his century too but went attempting a sweep that had earlier got him a few runs and while the tail was blown away by bizarre shot-making, Ahmed’s 105-ball 109 punched enough holes in the Aussie bowling.
At one stage Australia would have thought of restricting Pakistan to less than 250 but the hosts were propelled to 454 because of the 124-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Australia needed a steady start and that’s exactly what they got. To be more precise, it was slow at one end and rollicking at the other, which, to go with the fact they did not lose a wicket, meant that they ended the day very much in the game for all results to remain possible.
Rogers played 110 balls for his 31 that included a life, a sitter dropped by Younis Khan in the slips, while Warner was at his murderous best, refusing to get bogged down by any of the bowlers. He made 75 from 77,
Pakistan will know that they had lost a Test after scoring 450 in a recent game, which will begin to play a part as the day progresses without too many wickets lost. Can they restrict the scoring by picking up wickets at regular interval or will Australia set up a good enough foundation for them to get 100 or 150 runs in front?
Join me for the third day of this 1st Test between Pakistan and Australia on Friday here and you can follow the live score of this game from 4 pm and post your comments below.
Jean Smith
Guest
I have my doubts as to whether Australia can get Pakistan out from here and let alone keep them from building another big total because Pakistan have mastered Australia's bowling attack in this Test ; I think Pakistan have this one sown up and I think it will take something extraordinary for Australia to turn it around from here. Jean
Cantab
Guest
Pakistan building well, ' I recon' 3-4 an over for the next session followed by a ten over blitz in the final session, declaring with ~110 overs left to play.
BIll
Guest
Can Australia draw this match?
Matt
Guest
Ah yes, the good old "oh look how hard the pitch is playing, it's tough out there" for the other team to come out and score runs without loss... Aussies in trouble, 200 behind and 10 wickets to go, hopefully they can skittle them over and stay in the contest.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
If Pakistan bat at three an over, that could take them about 60 overs to get to a lead of more than 350. If they are not bowled out by then, will Misbah have the courage to declare at that stage, giving Australia around 120 overs to chase that down? I have my doubts, he will look to push it up to 400 and reduce the number of overs Australia have to get to it. What it will also mean is that his own bowlers will have lesser overs to bowl them out. Remember Australia lasted 103 overs in the first dig. But if Pakistan do get bowled out, 350 is what they will hope for. Will still put them as favourites. Australia have the confidence in this format but do they have it in them to bat well on the final day of a game? The third option and one that's equally probable is that Pakistan will capitulate. Mohammad Hafeez is injured and we do not know whether he will come out to bat and if Australia can get two or three early in the morning, that implosion-button is never too far away from a Pakistani batting line-up. Still, 150 all out also gets them to a lead of 300, not the easiest of chases again. Interesting fourth day tomorrow and whichever way you look at it, Australia will need to play out of their skins to win the game from here on. That should be a wrap from me, I will be back tomorrow for the fourth day but if you want to discuss anything cricketing, you can get in touch with me @suneerchowdhary on Twitter. Ciao!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
That should wrap up what's been Pakistan's day, out and out. To bowl Australia out for 303 after they got to 1/151 at one stage was creditable from the Pakistani bowlers. And then, despite the absence of regular opener Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali have added 38 without separating. Pakistan are 189 ahead without loss and in a position from where they can boss things to their tourists. 350 will be their target at the minimum, but time will also begin to come into picture.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Two from the Lyon over, a maiden for SOK. And that will be that I suppose, the light meters are out and it's been deemed too dark to continue.
Bobbo7
Guest
I have expected this. Pakistan looking good
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Steve O'Keefe comes in for Siddle and Shehzad has disposed him over the mid-off's head for a four! He lost his grip over the handle but still managed to clear it. Goes for the same stroke two balls later and mistimes it over the extra-cover region. Bit of slice there and gets him a couple. 0/36 in the 11th
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
It's not as if there's absolutely nothing in the pitch for Lyon. Enough rough to exploit outside the off, the ball, on occasions, is bouncing a tad more than expected. But nothing in the wickets column. 0/30 in 10.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
I get enough disappointment from the Fremantle Dockers and Everton! Come on boys!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Shehzad is naturally an attacking batsman but he has controlled his instincts well so far... ...but now he has got one short from Siddle and pulled the triggered, gets himself on to back foot and pulls it away for a four. Not off the middle but there's enough bat on it. 0/24 in 9
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
It's that time of the day when, on the first, Lyon had begun to bowl well. A couple of them have gone well from Lyon, pitched outside, turning in and making Azhar hurry. 0/20 in 8
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Aggro from Azhar! That's swept away by the batsman behind square for a four. 0/20 in the 8th
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Ooh, edged and again, it does not carry. Wonder if the slippers would like to come forward... ...especially the first slip. Not seen too many catches go head-height anyway to the first slip in this game. Not seen too many catches go to the first slip in the first place. 0/16 in 7
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Peter Siddle replaces Johnson after his three-over spell.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A good second over from Lyon, just a single along with one that comes off the phase of the bat and does not carry to the leg-slip fielder. 0/12 in 6
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A shot in anger. Johnson's bowling round the stumps and inviting the drive with so few fielders in the covers...for a change, Ali obliges and gets it through the covers for a four. And then opens the face of the bat to guide it down to third-man for a second boundary. The bat came down at an angle to give it some direction but with soft hands. 0/11 in 5
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
It's a predominantly leg-side field for Lyon against Shehzad. Three men back on the fence on the leg-side, and a couple close-in, with one at short mid-wicket. Couple of singles in the over. 0/3 in 4
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
So Clarke's done exactly what Pakistan captain Misbah had with the second new ball. Given an over to Rahat Ali and then removed him from the attack to bring on a spinner. Siddle's off and Lyon's come on.