Day 1 of the second Test match at the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday saw Australia leading Pakistan at tea time thanks to Usman Khawaja and David Warner’s opening combination.
Australia was at 114/2 in 42.4 overs at the time of tea, with Steve Smith (2) and Marnus Labuschagne (14) still undefeated at the bat.
In the second Test, Pakistani captain Shan Masood chose to bowl after winning the toss.
Usman Khawaja and David Warner, who batted together in ideal batting conditions, were determined in their approach and made the Pakistani bowlers work very hard.
Shaheen Afridi and Mir Hamza bowled in tandem to start Pakistan’s innings off quickly, but they were unable to get much traction behind the wicket.
Warner and Khawaja survived the first ten overs without being hit by the new ball, while Afridi and Mir Hamza got it swinging.
Warner was squared up by a stunning delivery from Afridi in the channel that angled in and then nibbled away on the last ball of the third over. The Australian opener, batting on two, nicked the ball, and Abdullah Shafique, at first slip, dropped the easiest of chances as the edge soared at a comfortable height and velocity.
Afridi was overcome with misfortune and spent a few seconds walking back to his bowling run-up with his hands on his head. Australia’s openers scored 90 runs for the first wicket, but Pakistan paid a heavy price for the reprieve.
At the start of lunch, Agha Salman of Pakistan scored a 38-run strike by dismissing Warner. Warner was removed from the game after hitting three fours in the inning.
On the first day of the MCG Test, Australia had lunch at 90/1.
Following the first break, Pakistan’s bowlers remained unrelenting, giving up just 22 runs immediately following lunch.
Then, in the 33.1 over, pacer Hasan Ali dismissed Khawaja for 42 runs. The Australian squad then attempted to be led by Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. Play on Day 1 was halted by rain after 42.4 over, and a shorter second session was held at the MCG to have tea.
