The MCG witnessed a delightful moment on Day 3 as a couple caught on the big screen became instant celebrities, drawing applause and laughter from the crowd. As if the on-field battle wasn’t enough, the camera director decided to sprinkle some romance into the mix. During the first ball of Pakistan’s innings, the focus suddenly shifted to a beaming couple on the big screen, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
Their surprised expressions and blushing smiles became the unexpected highlight of the session. Aussie Batting Flourishes: Back on the field, Australia’s batting put up a solid show, reaching 318 thanks to contributions from various players. Marnus Labuschagne (63), Usman Khawaja (42), and David Warner (38) laid the foundation, while Mitchell Marsh chipped in with a fluent 41. Aamer Jamal impressed with a 3-wicket haul for Pakistan, but the bowlers couldn’t contain the Aussies for long.
— Pushkar (@musafir_hu_yar) December 28, 2023
The familiar trend of Pakistani collapses returned in their first innings. Despite half-centuries from Abdullah Shafique (62) and Shan Masood (54), the rest of the batting lineup crumbled under the Australian attack. Big names like Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq failed to deliver, managing just 1 and 10 runs respectively.
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Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon spearheaded the demolition with 9 wickets between them, leaving Pakistan at a precarious 264 all out. Pakistan responded with early blows, reducing Australia to a shaky 16/4. Top guns Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head were back in the pavilion before they could settle in.
However, the experienced Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh joined forces to bail Australia out. Their 153-run partnership stabilized the innings, with Marsh falling just 4 runs shy of a century. Smith remained unbeaten on a well-crafted fifty. At stumps, Australia stood at 187/6, leading by a sizable 241 runs.
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The visitors face the daunting task of chasing a mammoth total against a formidable Australian bowling attack. Their recent 360-run defeat in the first Test serves as a grim reminder of their struggles. The form of key players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi remains a major concern, and unless they step up, Pakistan’s chances of salvaging the series appear bleak. Australia, on the other hand, is well-positioned to seal another win. Building a substantial lead in the second innings and then shutting out Pakistan will be their primary objective.
