Shaheen, Mir Deliver Exceptional Bowling Display

APP

Islamabad: Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mir Hamza, the left-arm pace duo, made significant inroads into Australia’s seasoned batting lineup, both securing three crucial wickets to put the opposition under pressure. Australia concluded the day at 187-6 after dismissing Pakistan for 264, as reported by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Pakistan began the day at 194-6 with Mohammad Rizwan and Aamir Jamal at the crease. Rizwan’s departure for 42 signaled the start of the day’s play, breaking the seventh-wicket partnership. Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, claimed the early breakthrough.

A subsequent 25-run partnership between Shaheen and Aamir aided in reducing the deficit. However, Shaheen’s dismissal for 21 by Nathan Lyon pushed Pakistan to 240-8 in the 70th over. Cummins completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Hasan Ali. Mir Hamza was the final wicket to fall, and Lyon clinched four wickets as Pakistan’s innings concluded at 264 in 73.5 overs.

With the ball, Shaheen’s early magic saw the dismissals of Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne. Shortly after lunch, Mir Hamza’s double-wicket maiden reduced Australia to 16-4. However, Steven Smith and Mitchell Marsh orchestrated a crucial partnership of 153 runs, steadying Australia after the early setbacks.

During the third session, Hamza ended Marsh’s resilient knock at 96, denying him a century. Smith’s gritty half-century came to an end when he fell to Shaheen’s trap, caught by Salman fielding at Gully. Smith’s dismissal marked the conclusion of the day’s play.

At stumps, Australia stood at 187-6 in 62.3 overs, holding a lead of 241 runs, with Alex Carey unbeaten on 16. The action is set to resume on day four at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at 0430 PKT.

Scores in Brief:

Australia posted 318 runs all out in 96.5 overs during their first innings, led by Marnus Labuschagne’s 63, Usman Khawaja’s 42, and Mitchell Marsh’s 41. Aamir Jamal took 3 wickets for 64 runs, while Mir Hamza, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Salman Ali Agha shared 2 wickets each.

In their second innings, Australia scored 187 for 6 in 62.3 overs, with Mitchell Marsh top-scoring at 96 and Steven Smith contributing 50. Mir Hamza claimed 3 wickets for 27 runs, while Shaheen Shah Afridi took 3 wickets for 58 runs.

Pakistan managed 264 runs all out in 73.5 overs during their innings, with Abdullah Shafique scoring 62, Shan Masood 54, and Mohammad Rizwan 42. Pat Cummins took 5 wickets for 48 runs, Nathan Lyon secured 4 wickets for 73 runs, and Josh Hazlewood claimed 1 wicket for 43 runs.