KARACHI: Australia’s wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey missed on his century after Usman Khawaja’s 160 but the touring side finished at 505/8 on the stumps of the second day of the Karachi Test, here on Sunday.
Australia added 98 runs in the final session of the second day, while Pakistan managed to take one wicket.
Australia’s wicket-keeper batter Carey, who notched up his half-century in the opening minutes of the third session, missed on his well-deserved century by just seven runs as Babar Azam castled the left-handed batter for 93.
His partner Mitchell Starc, stood firm and carried his bat till the stumps. Starc (26*) and Cummins (0*) will now resume the proceedings at 505/8 on the third day.
For Pakistan, Faheem Ashraf and Sajid Khan bagged two wickets each, while Babar, Hasan Ali, and Nauman Ali managed to make one scalp apiece.
After four sessions in favour of Australia, Pakistan managed to dominate the fifth. The home side managed to take three wickets in the eventful second session of the second day; taking three wickets including a big one of Khawaja.
Khawaja, who was looking exceptional, fell short to Sajid Khan in the 131st over as the right-arm spinner castled the left-hander to provide a major breakthrough to the home side. Khawaja scored a splendid 160 off 369 balls with the help of 15 boundaries and a six.
Before, Khawaja’s dismissal, Head also perished earlier in the second session as Nauman Ali trapped him in his legs for 23. Furthermore, in the last over before the Tea break, Nauman provided another success to Pakistan in the form of Cameron Green’s wicket.
The right-handed batter 28 off 73 balls including two boundaries and a six.
Earlier in the morning session, Australia, resuming at an overnight score of 251/3, managed to pile a further 81-runs to set their sights on a 450 plus mark.
The nightwatchman acted as the aggressor during his valuable fifty-plus partnership with Khawaja and assisted the touring side to score at a quick rate.
Lyon’s cameo however came to an end in the 106th over as Faheem Ashraf delivered a peach to castle the right-handed batter for 38. He faced 62 balls and smashed five boundaries.
Khawaja, on the other hand, batted sensibly before and after Lyon’s dismissal and became the third opening batter to score 150 against Pakistan.
It was a frustrating session for Pakistan as they leaked 81 runs in 27 overs and managed to get just one wicket.
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