PAK vs AUS | Watch: Umpire makes an absolute howler on Rizwan decision

Pakistan were reeling at 81/6 trying to hunt Australia’s mammoth first innings total of 556 runs on Day 3 of the second Test match at National Stadium Karachi.

Pakistan were put to bat after visitor’s captain Pat Cummins decided to declare in the morning session. Coming into bat, the home team were dealt with two quick wickets, first a runout from Mitchell Swepson and then Nathan Lyon removing Imam-ul-Haq.

Once the ball started showing hints of reverse swing around 24th over, Cummins removed Lyon (7-4-9-1) from the attack and let his pacers have a go.

A spirited spell from Mitchell Starc brought two wickets, after which the captain himself took matters into his own hands. There was an extended phase of play where batsmen were put under immense pressure and they started crumbling against a line of bowling aimed straight at the stumps.

Pakistan were not helped by the umpiring standards on the day as Ahsan Raza made a howler of a decision against Mohammad Rizwan off the bowling of Pat Cummins.

The Australian captain’s inswinger struck Rizwan on the backpad, leagues outside the off stump. As Rizwan chose to not offer any shot, he was on for an LBW decision, and umpire Ahsan Raza rose his finger after a vociferous appeal by Cummins.

A baffled Rizwan looked at the umpire and chose to review the decision straightaway. Replays revealed that the ball was nowhere close to the stumps, be it in the matter of height or line and the keeper batsman was rescued from a howler.

Rizwan, however, could not do much after being saved and edged a ball back to the slip cordon, once again against Pat Cummins who troubled him throughout his stay at the crease.