RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Nauman Ali took four wickets but Australia managed to carry their bat throughout the fourth day of the first Test, here on Monday.

At the conclusion of the fourth day, the Aussies paused their proceedings at 449/7.

In the third session, the touring side managed to add 85 runs for the cost of three wickets as their set batter Steve Smith also made his way back to the pavilion.

The experienced batter notched up an important 79 runs partnership for the fifth wicket with Cameron Green but the latter went back after missing his half-century by just two runs.

Smith then further looked to proceed the innings with a brief 15-runs partnership with Alex Carey but this time he fell short while attempting to sweep Nauman’s delivery. He scored
78 off 196 balls with the help of eight boundaries.

Following his departure, Carey too, soon perished in the second last over before the stumps as Naseem Shah castled the former for 19.

Earlier, after the first session called off due to the wet outfield, the second session of the ongoing fourth day turned out to be an eventful one as Australia piled up further 93 runs, while Pakistan managed to take two wickets.

Resuming at an overnight score of 271/2, Australian top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne extended his important third-wicket partnership with Smith to a triple-figure mark.

Labuschagne, who was looking in great touch fell victim to the nervous ninties as the left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi removed the prior on 90. He faced 158 balls and hit a dozen boundaries in the course of his brilliant knock.

Following Labuschagne’s dismissal, Travis Head made his way to the centre and could not extend his stay at the crease as the left-handed batter fell short to Nauman for a mere eight.

For Pakistan, Nauman picked four wickets, while Shaheen, Naseem, and Sajid Khan made one scalp each.

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