Rawalpindi Test: Azhar Ali hits 185 as Pakistan dominate Australia on Day 2 of historic Test

Azhar Ali hit a daddy hundred on Day 2 of the historic 1st Test between Pakistan and Australia on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium because the hosts dominated the proceedings within the collection opener. Despite not scoring at a fast tempo, Pakistan declared on 476/4 earlier than Australia openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja managed to bat solely over as unhealthy mild pressured early Stumps on Saturday.

The 2nd day started on a tricky observe as each Australia and Pakistan gamers noticed a minute’s silence, in reminiscence of Shane Warne and the victims of Friday’s assault in a mosque in Peshawar.

PAK vs AUS, 1st Test Day 2 Highlights

Captain Pat Cummins was made to work laborious as Imam-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali continued from the place they left on Friday, slowly however steadily accumulating the runs for Pakistan within the first innings. Ali completed with 185 whereas Imam hit 157 to grind down the Australian bowling assault, which used as many as 8 bowlers.

Imam was on 143 when Australia made a timid caught-behind enchantment in opposition to him, which was turned down.

Australia selected to not assessment the choice however UltraEdge confirmed a spike because the Nathan Lyon supply handed the bat.

Cummins then wasted a assessment making an attempt to get Azhar caught behind within the post-lunch session.

Three balls later, Imam wasted certainly one of his personal making an attempt to overturn an lbw choice in opposition to him. The bespectacled opener needed to go, nonetheless, as replays confirmed the Cummins supply would have gone on to hit the center stump.

Imam’s 157 was studded with 16 boundaries and two sixes.

Marnus Labuschagne shines on the sector

Marnus Labuschagne ran out Babar Azam, who made 36, with a direct throw and ended Azhar’s marathon innings of 185 when he induced a reverse sweep from the batsman.

Number three batsman Azhar hit 15 boundaries and three sixes throughout his 361-ball keep on the crease.

Babar declared the innings 45 minutes earlier than the scheduled shut of play, however the gathering gloom robbed Pakistan of the possibility to unleash their quick bowlers with the brand new ball.

Instead, off-spinner Sajid Khan sneaked in an over earlier than play was referred to as off as a result of deteriorating mild on the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

Australia’s first tour of Pakistan since 1998 consists of three Tests, three one-dayers and a Twenty20 International. (With Reuters inputs)