[Watch] Boxing Day Test Heats Up As Shaheen Afridi Exchanges Words With Marnus Labuchagne
Labuschagne surviving Mir Hamza's lethal spell (AP Photo)
The highly anticipated Boxing Day Test match between Australia and Pakistan went on floors earlier today. The men in green won the crucial toss and invited the hosts to bat first under overcast conditions.
Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood's trump card, produced early chances. However, the fielders didn't support him from the other end. David Warner was dropped at slip in the third over in one of the most bizarre displays of fielding efforts from Pakistan. Luckily, the men in green managed to pick two wickets in quick succession.
However, the trouble was far from over for the Aussies. As dark clouds hovered over the MCG stadium, floodlights were switched on as Afridi and Hasan Ali continued to unleash their wrath from both ends.
The tense battle got heated up when Aussie batter Marnus Labuchagne complained to the umpires about substandard playing conditions. He demanded an immediate halt in play due to a lack of adequate light.
Bad light and Pakistani bowlers' tough questions left the middle-order batter frustrated.
![[Watch] Shaheen Afridi's Day Gets Tougher As Abdullah Shafique Drops A Sitter; David Warner Survives](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1703570180975_Watch.jpg)
Afridi-Labuchagne engaged in heated battle
On the other hand, the brief delays messed with Afridi's rhythm as he tried to get under the skin of Labuchagne. In the 40th over, Afridi had a go at Marnus, who was clearly struggling with the pacer's inswingers.
The Pakistani speedster tried to intimidate the Aussie batter throughout the second session before rain halted the proceeding.
Luckily for Australia, Smith and Labuchagne survived the big challenge under the lights. However, the battle of patience and perseverance continues as the play has now resumed after a brief day due to drizzle.
Australia still have to bat through 25 overs, and a couple of wickets in the final session could bring Pakistan back into the game.
Overall, the Boxing Day Test kicked off on a fiery note, and the fans must expect the rivalry to heat up in the coming days. Also, the game is a do-or-die matchup for Pakistan as they strive to stay alive in the three-game series.
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 "Akshita Patel")
