Pakistan’s fresh opening pair of Abdullah Shafique and debutant Saim Ayub stepped onto the pitch after Shan Masood opted to bat on what seemed like a tame surface. Unfortunately, both players were dismissed after facing only two deliveries each, falling prey to Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood respectively.
Pat Cummins, in exceptional form, added to the visitors’ woes by curtailing Babar Azam’s brief aggressive play and sending Saud Shakeel back after just 12 deliveries, leaving the team struggling at 47/4. Even with Shan Masood’s departure for 35 shortly after lunch, Pakistan appeared destined for a significantly below-par first innings total.
However, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha Ali continued to keep the team’s aspirations alive, replicating their crucial partnership from the previous Test, this time crafting a vital 94-run stand for the sixth wicket. Salman Agha Ali contributed with eight boundaries in his brisk 53, while Rizwan fell just short of a century, departing for an aggressive 88 filled with boundaries, a victim to the Australian captain.
After their partnership was broken, wickets tumbled rapidly, with Cummins securing his third consecutive five-wicket haul, reducing Pakistan to 227/9 and on the verge of wrapping up their innings. Unexpectedly, Aamer Jamal emerged as the unlikely savior, teaming up with the tailender Mir Hamza to frustrate the accomplished Australian bowling attack.
Jamal showcased a mix of powerful strokeplay and intelligent defense, guiding the lower order to stretch the total to 313. Remarkably, the 27-year-old accumulated an astounding 82 runs, featuring nine boundaries and four maximums, before eventually getting dismissed towards the end of the day’s play.
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In response, Usman Khawaja and David Warner briefly came out to bat, facing just one over and surviving without losing any wickets, with the scoreboard reading 6/0 at the close of play.