After an incredible fightback in the opening session of Day 2 by the visitors, Australia has taken the upper hand in the AUS vs PAK 2nd Test in Melbourne. Pakistan started the day well, claiming Australia’s last 7 wickets for just 131 runs. Apart from Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh, no Aussie batter made their mark. From 187/3, the hosts were reduced to 318/10 thanks to Pakistani pacers.
Starting Day 2 on 187/3, it wasn’t long before nightwatchman Travis Head departed. A 46-run stand between Labuschagne and Marsh gave Australia hope, but Jamal ended Labuschagne’s stay. The star batter’s wicket proved to be the turning point, with the Aussies losing their last 5 wickets for 68 runs.
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With every Pakistani bowler taking at least one wicket, the visitors made short work of the hosts lower order. Jamal was the pick of the bowlers, claiming Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and skipper Pat Cummins.
Their pace quartet, Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Mir Hamza, and Hasan Ali bagged all 7 wickets among them on Day 2.
Australian bowlers dominated, Pakistan batters struggled
Despite the solid start, none of the batsmen got a big one. Shafique fell for 62 and was soon followed by Babar Azam and skipper Shan Masood.
With Pakistan 124/1, the Australian bowler were not worried. Skipper Cummins gave the hosts their breakthrough, spending Shafique back. From there on, the floodgates opened.
Soon, Pakistan were 170/6. With Cummins claiming three of the four wickets that fell, with Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood get one each.
AUS vs PAK 2nd Test: Brief Scores
Australia 1st innings: 318/10 (Marnus Labuschagne 63, Aamer Jamal 3/64)
Pakistan 2nd innings: 194/6, trailing by 124 (Abdullah Shafique 62; Pat Cummins 3/37)
The post AUS vs PAK 2nd Test: Australia quashes Pakistan’s fightback dream, end Day 2 with upper hand appeared first on Inside Sport India.
