Melbourne Test: Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood’s second-wicket partnership gave Pakistan momentum on the second day at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Benaud-Qadir Trophy match’s second day saw Pakistan’s bowlers dismiss Australia for 318 runs, leaving Pakistan trailing by 124 runs.
Mars Labuschagne and Travis Head took wickets to retain Australia’s 187-3 lead from the previous night. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s first breakthrough came when Head (17, 32b, 3x4s) edged the ball to a second slip, ending the 50-run partnership.
Aamir Jamal dismissed Labuschagne, the Australian batsman with the most runs, with a decisive 63 from 155 balls and five boundaries.
Other batters included Mitchell Marsh, who replaced Head at the crease. He scored 41 out of 60, with a maximum of 60 and six boundaries.
Australia lost several wickets rapidly and was bowled out in 89.1 overs. Shaheen dispatched Alex Carey quickly, but Mir Hamza surprised Mitchell Starc and Marsh. Australia scored 286-8.
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon’s 20-run ninth-wicket partnership helped Australia reach 300 runs. After being forced back into the attack, right-arm bowler Hasan Ali dismissed Lyon for 318 runs.
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Aamir was Pakistan’s best bowler, grabbing three wickets in the win. Each bowler took a wicket. Shaheen, Hasan, and Hamza captured two wickets each, unlike spinner Salman Ali Agha.
Pakistan started their batting innings cautiously with Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique. Lyon needed 44 deliveries and 10 runs to restrict Imam.
Pakistan skipper Shan Masood and Abdullah’s 90-run partnership turned the game around. In his maiden Australian match, Abdullah scored 52 runs (62, 109b, 5x4s) before Cummins caught and bowled him.
Cummins hit Babar Azam’s stumps hard in his second over, prompting him to quit after one run. Shan delivered a top-edged ball that Marsh caught off Lyon shortly after. Pakistan’s captain, who hit three fours and a six, left at 54 from 76.
After Josh Hazlewood bowled Saud Shakeel for nine runs in 29 deliveries, Pakistan’s anger grew. Pakistan fell to 170-6 in 48 overs as Cummins took his third wicket, leaving Salman Ali Agha (5, 8b, 1×4) adrift.
Pakistan used Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Rizwan to extend their innings. The unbroken partnership between the two wickets added 24 runs. Pakistan regrouped after losing five wickets for 46 runs.
Pakistan was 194-6 in 55 overs at stumps, with Rizwan (29 not out, 34b, 1×4, 1×6) and Aamir (2 not out, 26b) at the crease.
Brief Scorecard of Melbourne Test
| Australia | 318 all out |
|---|---|
| Marnus Labuschagne | 63 |
| Usman Khawaja | 42 |
| Mitchell Marsh | 41 |
Pakistan
| Pakistan | 194-6 |
|---|---|
| Abdullah Shafique | 62 |
| Shan Masood | 54 |
| Â Mohammad Rizwan | 29 not out |
Day 3 action begins at 04:30 PKT at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
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