“But the way we played that first Test, we’re very united and are hopeful that we can get a good result in the next two Tests”, Shafiq said on Friday, via ESPNCricinfo.com.
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Even with provisions to make up eight overs per day, there will be at least 54 overs lost this Test – the equivalent to close to two sessions of play – with more rain to come in the final three days of the game.
Wednesday was no different at Melbourne, as the left-handed dynamo hammered his way to yet another century against Pakistan on the third day of the second Test.
At the MCG, he was at his most stolid and frustrating on day one, and took over 90 balls before hitting his first boundary.
Azhar Ali’s effort has given Pakistan a real chance of ending their 21-year winless streak in Australia as they aim to stay alive following their 39-run defeat in Brisbane.
Smith began the day at 10 not out.
‘It was really tough to bat on for a period, if you got the ball in the right area there was just enough there for the bowlers.
2 – The number of batsmen from Australia to score 1000 or more runs in Tests in three consecutive calendar years. After another stellar Australian batting display on day four, where Smith led from the front with a chanceless unbeaten hundred, the home side can sniff an unlikely victory.
While supporting maligned players Nic Maddinson and Matthew Wade, Smith was less encouraging of struggling off-spinner Nathan Lyon. However, the dashing Australian left-hander also achieved a milestone as he went past 5000 runs in Tests in 109 innings, quicker than former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.
Australia skipper Steve Smith has slammed Nathan Lyon and said he will get some slow-bowling support in the form of a second tweaker in the side for the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
He put on 198 runs with Khawaja off just 214 balls to move the game along briskly. However, there was a 92-run stand between Smith and Handscomb for the 4th wicket. Smith’s last five innings at the MCG have delivered scores of 100no against Pakistan, 70no and 134no against West Indies, 14 and 192 against India.
But, like Khawaja, he too fell on the same score as his first Test of the season, slicing a ball to point – giving Sohail Khan a wicket seemingly out of nowhere.
Pakistani stalwart Azhar Ali has been given medical clearance after he suffered a blow to his helmet while fielding at short leg during the second Test in Melbourne. It’s a good sign of faith in Maddinson, saying we’re going to give you another go.
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Devarchit Varma is senior writer with CricketCountry.
