Rawalpindi Test: Usman Khawaja, David Warner lead Australia’s sturdy reply vs Pakistan on Day 3

Australia got here up with a robust batting show in response to Pakistan’s first innings whole of 476/4 declared on Day 3 of the historic Test in Rawalpindi. Usman Khawaja fell agonisingly in need of 100, falling for 97 as Australia piled on 271 runs, attending to Stumps on Sunday, dropping solely 2 wickets.

David Warner, who has been having fun with his time in Rawalpindi, hit 68 whereas Marnus Labuschange was unbeaten on 69 on the finish of the day’s play. Bad gentle introduced an early finish to proceedings as soon as once more as Australia regarded to make good use of the tiring Pakistan bowlers who bowled 72 overs on Sunday.

PAK vs AUS, Day 3 Highlights from Rawalpindi

Steve Smith may also be hopeful of changing the beginning he obtained into an enormous knock when he resumes on 24 on Monday. Australia, on their first tour of Pakistan in 24 years, completed day three 205 behind however scored freely after resuming on 5 for no loss.

Star batter Usman Khawaja mentioned Australia are hopeful of forcing a consequence regardless of the criticism over the gradual nature of the pitch in Rawalpindi.

“Tomorrow is another big day for us. If we can bat well, keep scoring runs and give ourselves the opportunity, maybe force a result,” Khawaja mentioned on Sunday.

“We are 200 runs behind, there’s a long way to go.”

WARNER ENJOYS ON-FIELD BANTER

Khawaja, who made 97, may have been dismissed on 22 when Shaheen Afridi obtained the opener to drive away from his physique however Fawad Alam spilled a simple catch at gully.

It was a expensive mistake on a flat observe on which bowlers have struggled and solely 4 wickets fell within the first two days.

The morning session additionally witnessed slightly duel between Warner and Naseem Shah. Warner hit the quick bowler for 2 boundaries in an over and Naseem responded by bowling into the opener’s physique in his subsequent.

Warner suffered a blow to his higher arm however laughed it off when Naseem gave him a stare and a chunk of his thoughts.

Khawaja performed a spectacular upper-cut in opposition to Naseem and took two runs off spinner Sajid Khan to deliver up a breezy half-century.

Warner welcomed off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed into the assault by hitting him for 3 boundaries, the primary citing his fifty.

The left-hander, who hit 12 boundaries, had his center stump pegged again as he went on the again foot to play Sajid by the off-side and misjudged the road.

Islamabad-born Khawaja missed out on what may have been his third take a look at hundred in 5 innings after fluffing a reverse sweep which in any other case had been a productive shot for the left-hander.

Umpire Aleem Dar had initially dominated the batsman not out however reversed the choice after replays confirmed the ball from Nauman Ali hit Khawaja’s gloves earlier than popping as much as Imam-ul-Haq at ahead brief leg.

Labuschagne hit 9 boundaries in his fluent unbeaten knock.