After Mohammad Rizwan’s blistering knock, No. 9 batter Aamir Jamal repulsed Australia with aggressive play, helping Pakistan script a comeback from a top-order collapse to post a fighting 313 on the board on the opening day of the third Test here at Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
At the time of stumps, Australia’s score read 6/0 – trail by 307 runs- with David Warner (6) and Usman Khawaja (0) unbeaten at the crease.
After captain Pat Cummins collected his third straight five-wicket haul, Jamal’s 82 off 97 balls and his last wicket stand of 86 runs with Mir Hamza pushed Pakistan to an unexpected first innings of 313.
Australia openers Warner and Khawaja were then given one over before the umpire called for stumps. Warner received a standing ovation from the crowd at the SCG and a guard of honour from the Pakistan squad in his 112th and final Test match.
Warner blasted offspinner Sajid Khan for a four through the covers on the opening delivery but had a nervous moment when he almost put the ball onto his stumps as Australia went into stumps at 6 for 0 and trailed Pakistan by 307 runs. Pakistan went into the third session of the day with Agha Salman (36*) and Sajid Khan (7*) unbeaten at the crease.
Cummins threatened to slash through the tailenders as he took another 5-wicket haul. Australia skipper kept using the short ball tactic, and both Sajid Khan and Hasan Ali left cheaply. Salman too fell victim to a similar short ball from Mitchell Starc, but not before achieving his half-century.
The collapse of 4 for 37 had Australia well in control until Jamal decided to twist the script once more. He tormented the home side for 22.1 overs, combining for an 86-run last-wicket stand with Mir Hamza, who played the ideal second fiddle, hitting only seven off 43 deliveries. The final wicket pair’s defiance breathed new life into the battle.