PAK vs AUS | 3rd Test | Day 1: Pakistan turn tables after Smith-Khawaja batting masterclass

Pakistan pulled things back in their favour after picking up some important wickets against Australia in the final session of first day’s play during the third Test in Lahore. 

After suffering a couple of early blows, the visitors scripted a fine return as they rode on brilliant batting performances from Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith. 

The two batters chipped in with individual fifties and frustrated the Pakistan bowlers in the second session to take the side to 145/2 at Tea. 

But the home side then turned the fortunes for themselves in the third session and scalped three wickets including the dismissals of Smith and Khawaja as Australia eventually ended the day’s proceedings at 232/5. 

Shaheen rattles top-order

Opting to bat first, Australia were in a spot of bother early on Day 1 after Shaheen Afridi removed opener David Warner and batter Marnus Labuschagne in the same over. 

The left-handed pacer first trapped Warner in front of the stumps for 7 on a length delivery that just came into the left-hander and then scalped the priced wicket of Labuschagne who was caught behind for a two-ball duck by Mohammad Rizwan after edging a touch fuller ball while going for a drive. 

The visiting team was reduced to 8/2. 

Smith, Khawaja show resistance

Australia were on the backfoot when Steve Smith joined Khawaja in the middle. But the two batters showed a lot of mettle and helped the Australian side come out of a tricky situation. While they began the rescue operation in a cautious manner, the left-right batting duo didn’t really shy away from scoring boundaries on deliveries that came in their radar. In fact, Smith’s elegant cover drives became a highlight of the day. The two batters took Australia to 145/2 at Tea. 

Pakistan script comeback 

Both Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja were looking pretty steady and stable before a brilliant delivery from Naseem Shah sent Smith packing in the third session. Smith went deep into his crease a bit and tried to play a length ball from Naseem towards the on side but missed his stroke and it hit him on his pads. 

The former Australian captain was trapped in front of the stumps for 59 and a 138-run stand was finally broken. 

Khawaja was later joined by Travis Head and the duo then scored 41 runs for the fourth wicket before the partnership was ended, courtesy a phenomenal catch from Babar Azam in the slips to dismiss Khawaja for 91. 

The left-handed opener failed to anticipate the turn on a fuller delivery from Sajid Khan that was pitched around the middle-stump channel and closed the face of his bat early while trying to negotiate it towards the on side. The ball took the edge and Babar who was stationed in the slips grabbed a stunner. Khawaja missed out on yet another Test hundred. 

Pakistan then managed to pick another wicket after Shah removed Head for 26. While Naseem and Shaheen have bagged a couple of wickets, Sajid has one to his name so far in the match. 

“I always try to take early wickets with the new ball. The wicket is pretty good for batting, my plan was to bowl in the right areas. We (the pacers) didn't get a lot of help in the last two Tests, so we thought about being consistent, bowl wicket-to-wicket. We (as a bowling group) wanted to execute our plans and think we did so,” Afridi said after the day’s play.