MELBOURNE, December 26 (ANI) : Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja’s knocks helped Australia reach 187 for 3 wickets in 66 overs at the time of stumps on the opening day, with Marnus Labuschagne 44 and Travis Head nine unbeaten at the crease.
Total attendance at the MCG today was 62,167.
It was a wet Melbourne day that saw nearly a session lost to rain. Play resumed and after the Tea break, Pakistan got a breakthrough as Aamer Jamal removed Steve Smith for 26 in the 57.5 over.
Steve Smith was ruled out LBW on 19 off Shaheen Afridi’s bowling, but the former captain successfully appealed the judgement because replays revealed the ball was heading over the stumps. Smith was ruled not out.
Batter Travis Head was unbeaten on nine at stumps and will be joined in the crease by Labuschagne when play resumes on Wednesday half an hour early at 10 am, Melbourne time.
.@RealHa55an's press conference following the opening day of the MCG Test.#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/KyoH6lRWuD
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 26, 2023
Earlier, Usman Khawaja and David Warner’s opening partnership put Australia in a strong position against Pakistan at the time of Tea. Then, Australia’s score was 114 with two wickets down in 42.4 overs with Marnus Labuschagne (14) and Steve Smith (2) unbeaten at the crease.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and opted to bowl in the second Test. The batting pair of Usman Khawaja and David Warner were decisive in their approach and made the Pakistan bowlers toil hard in excellent batting conditions.
Pakistan struck at the stroke of lunch as Agha Salman removed Warner for 38. Warner struck three fours in the innings before being dismissed.
Australia went to lunch on Day 1 of the MCG Test at 90/1. Pakistan bowlers were relentless after the first break and just 22 runs conceded right after lunch.
Scores: Australia 187/3 (66) (Usman Khawaja 42, Marnus Labuschagne 44*; Agha Salman 1-5) vs Pakistan.
Hasan’s media conference source – @TheRealPCB
-Inputs by South Asia Times (SAT), Melbourne.
