Pakistan bowlers exposed Australia’s weakness against the spin and reverse-swing to tighten screws in the second Test on Saturday. The Australian team are looking down at yet another embarrassing defeat as Pakistan have built a massive lead in the Abu Dhabi Test.
Double-century from Younis Khan and centuries from Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq had already made it a colossal task for Australia to save the match and fine performance from the bowlers has almost sealed the deal for the Misbah-led side.
Despite bundling Australia for a mere 261 in the first innings, Pakistan went for conservative route and didn’t invite the Michael Clarke-led side to follow on. They opted to bat in the second innings and stretched their lead to 370 with eight wickets remaining.
Mitchell Johnson, however, picked two quick wickets by dismissing Ahmed Shehzad (14) and Mohammad Hafeez (3) but Younis (16 not out) and Azhar (21 not out) ensured that Pakistan cross the 350 runs lead on the third day.
Where to Watch Practice Match Live Scores
The Day 4 of the second Test match between Pakistan and Australia is schedule for a 06:00 GMT, 10:00 local and 11:30 IST start. Viewers can catch the live updates of the match on ESPN Cricinfo, PCB and ICC.
Australia now have Mount Everest, K2 and Mount Kosciuszko to climb at once, if they have to save the Test match. They are now required to dismiss the Pakistan batsmen cheaply and try to spend as much time in the middle to fight it out in the remaining two days.
Earlier on Day 3, Australian innings never gained momentum as they lost wickets on regular intervals. Australia lost Chris Rogers (4) overnight and David Warner (14) earlier in the day, when he was dismissed by Rahat Ali.
Glenn Maxwell was the next to go but he made a quick-firing 37, but at that time Australia needed someone to stay in the middle. Clarke (47), however, tried to revive the innings but Imran Khan outfoxed the Australian skipper on reverse swing.
None of the other Aussie batsmen managed to put a fight and gave away their wicket rather cheaply. Mitchell Marsh, meanwhile, against the run of play, took the fight and finished with a well-complied 116-ball 87. Marsh and Peter Siddle (28) made a 62-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
