3rd Test, Day 3: Pakistan in trouble versus Australia
Australia have taken a significant advantage over Pakistan on Day 3 of the third Test. Resuming the day on 90/1, Pakistan were bowled out for 268. Apart from Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, and Babar Azam, nobody went on to contribute on Day 3. Australia have now taken a crucial 134-run lead, being 11/0 at stumps. Here are the key takeaways.
Pakistan were 90/1 before Shafique and Azhar added 80 runs on Day 3. In total, the pair added 150 runs. Azhar and Babar added 44 runs before the hosts suffered a collapse. From 248/3 they were bowled out for 268. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc did the damage. In response, the Aussies have started cautiously (11/0).
Shafique, who scored 45* on Day 2, converted his start to a half-century. He was dismissed for 81 in the end, having faced 228 balls. The opener was finally dismissed by Nathan Lyon, who broke a substantial partnership. On the other hand, the veteran Azhar did well for his 78. He showed character in a 208-ball effort. Cummin's stunner saw Azhar get dismissed.
The 37-year-old Azhar has now become just the fifth Pakistan cricketer to smash 7,000-plus Test runs. Azhar now has 7,004 runs in Tests at an average of 43.23. He has struck 19 tons and 35 fifties with the best of 302*. He hit seven fours and a six in a 208-ball effort. Azhar has managed to score 1,283 runs at 53.45 versus Australia.
Once Lyon got Shafique, Pakistan failed to post any significant stands. Credit goes to Australian pacers Cummins and Starc. They claimed the remaining eight wickets as Pakistan suffered a collapse. In the end, Cummins finished with figures worth 5/56. Starc claimed four scalps for 33 runs. Cummins claimed his seventh five-wicket haul and now has 194 scalps. Starc has raced to 281 wickets.
Babar played well for his 67 and showed a lot of composure. He slammed his 20th fifty and now has 2,796 runs in Tests. Babar played some cracking shots for boundaries but was finally sent back by Starc as the Aussies took charge.
