A brilliant Azhar Ali century highlighted Pakistan’s dominance of a rain affected second day’s play against Australia at the MCG, with the tourists losing just two wickets in 51 overs.
Pakistan reached 310 for 6 at stumps with the redoubtable opener unbeaten on 139 and Mohammad Amir 28 not out. After only 50.5 overs were bowled on Boxing Day, the second session was washed out and another bout of drizzle ended second day’s play an hour before stumps were due.
When there has been play, the match has been well-fought and entertaining but it appears the Test is headed towards a draw with more of Melbourne’s nefarious weather likely to intervene during the remaining three days. During the abbreviated period after Tea, Australia took the new ball with almost immediate results. The first session had been dominated by Azhar and Asad Shafiq (50), whose stout batting thwarted Australia’s push for early wickets and control of the match. However on resumption, the new ball swung and Josh Hazlewood (2 for 33 from 26 overs) and Jackson Bird (3 for 91 from 29) became particularly menacing.
After such a sedate day, blighted by rain, there was suddenly plenty of action highlighted by a near run-out and a reviewed caught behind. Not surprisingly, the sustained pressure led to the downfall of Shafiq, who was caught by Steve Smith at second slip off Bird, ending a 114-run fifth-wicket partnership.
Shortly after, wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed (10) was well caught low down by Matt Renshaw to leave Pakistan 6 for 268. However, Australia were unable to scythe through Pakistan’s lower order as Amir launched an impressive counterattack with six boundaries in his first 21 balls to propel Pakistan past 300. Just as momentum was building for Pakistan, light rain started to fall as the patient MCG faithful started filing out.
Pakistan started day two at 142 for 4 after a rain affected Boxing Day and play started 30 minutes early to make up for the lost time. Azhar and Shafiq were untroubled by a fairly pedestrian attack on a flat pitch, as they engineered a fightback.
Bird was unable to continue his starring role from the opening day, while Starc still appeared slightly lethargic after an underwhelming performance on Boxing Day. It meant in-form batsmen Shafiq and Azhar were able to build a solid partnership to ensure Pakistan clawed their way back into the contest.
After his heroics in Brisbane, Shafiq’s golden touch continued with a slew of purposeful drives, while Azhar’s assuredness was a perfect foil. There appeared no nerves in the 90s for Azhar barring a farcical moment when on 93. On the last ball before the first drinks break of the day, Bird got a touch on a straight drive from Shafiq, which ricocheted onto the stumps. Azhar dived back into his crease and appeared to easily make his ground. However, in a moment of disbelief for everyone, he was given out although the decision was immediately corrected, much to the relief of Azhar, who soon after notched a deserved century.
There was no trouble for Pakistan in the opening session, as Smith resorted to himself and fellow part-time spinner Nic Maddinson for a breakthrough before the second new ball could be taken. However, just before lunch, light rain halted play much to the chagrin of Mickey Arthur, Pakistan coach, who believed the stoppage halted his team’s momentum.
Frustratingly, with rain forecast each day of the remainder of the Test, a draw looks the likely result.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 310/6 (Azhar Ali 139*, Asad Shafiq 50; Jackson Bird 3-91) vs Australia
