Pakistan appeared headed for yet another substantial defeat, risking an insurmountable series lead for Australia after falling short at 264 in their chase against Australia’s initial innings of 318 on the third morning. However, their fate swiftly turned unexpectedly as Australia’s strong batting lineup collapsed under overcast conditions, granting the visitors a firm grip on the Boxing Day Test.
The turning point emerged right from the outset when Shaheen Afridi dismissed Usman Khawaja with just two deliveries. Afridi’s well-pitched Kookaburra delivery, shaping away from Khawaja, found the outside edge for an easy catch by Mohammad Rizwan.
Despite the hosts aiming for stability before Lunch, Marnus Labuschagne’s lapse in judgment on the brink of the break gifted the Men in Green an advantage. Afridi’s off-target delivery down the leg side led Labuschagne to off-balance, resulting in the ball glancing off his face and into another catch behind the wickets.
However, the real turmoil struck in the second session when Mir Hamza took charge in his third over of the day. With Australia at 6/2 after the interval, David Warner faced a wide, enticing half-tracker from the right-arm medium pacer. Warner attempted a hesitant pull but ended up with an inside edge, causing the ball to crash into the stumps.
BOWLED! Mir Hamza rips an in-swinger through Travis Head first ball! #PlayOfTheDay | @Nrmainsurance | #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/8UbzVV8esa
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2023
Travis Head followed, facing an unplayable delivery from Hamza that initially moved wide of the stumps before swerving prodigiously in the air, breaching the left-hander’s defenses and rattling his wicket.