Veteran batsman Azhar Ali and opener Imam-ul-Haq scored big centuries to help Pakistan dominate Australia on the second day of the first Test in Rawalpindi on Saturday.
Azhar scored 185 and Haque scored a career-best 157 to guide Pakistan 476-4 against a hapless Australian attack on a quiet and unresponsive pitch at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Captain Babar Azam declared about an hour early in hopes of a quick wicket, but with 15 overs remaining in poor light, Australia ended the day for five without loss.
Left-handed opener Usman Khawaja scored five runs while David Warner was yet to get the points.
Australia would need another 272 runs to avoid a follow-on against Pakistan’s cunning spinners, who are used to the pitch conditions.
Azhar was happy to score a century against the visitors.
“I always enjoy scoring runs against Australia because they are one of the top teams and they challenge your abilities,” he said.
It will be difficult to get Australia out twice on this pitch, but I hope our bowlers will do their best.
Meanwhile, Australian Marnus Labuschagne said that his team has a tough fight ahead.
“I think the only way to get myself back in a game like this is to take it day in, day out, over and over again.
“We know we can change the game.”
The day began on a gloomy note as players observed a minute’s silence as players paid tribute to legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne, who died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand on Friday.
Both teams wore black bands on their arms, while a handful of early morning spectators stood with respect in the stands.
slow session
Pakistan added just 57 runs at snail’s pace in the morning session.
Haque was the slowest of the Pakistan pair, adding only six runs in the first hour and scoring no boundaries till the 90th minute.
He was lucky to survive a catch-back appeal from Lyon’s 143 which Australia did not challenge when replays showed it had hit the bat.
But Azhar put on a solid 208 runs for the second wicket with Haque and then 101 for the third wicket with Azam, who was run out for 36.
After batting for just four minutes in less than nine hours, Azhar was caught doing a reverse sweep to Labuschagne.
Mohammad Rizwan (29) and Iftikhar Ahmed (13) remained unbeaten.
It was hard work between the wickets of Labuschagne (1-53), Cummins (1-62) and Nathan Lyon (1-161) for Australia’s pace-cum-spin attack.
Spearheads Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood took wickets with 71 and 53 runs respectively.
Pakistan only lost Imam-ul-Haq in the first two sessions as they added 149 runs after resuming the day at 245-1.
Haque completed 150 before he was trapped leg before by Cummins soon after lunch.
Haque, who unsuccessfully reviewed the decision, batted for nearly nine hours and hit 16 fours and two sixes.
Azhar lifted Lyon to deep mid-on to reach his 19th century in his 92nd Test – his fourth against Australia in 12 matches.
Australia has not visited Pakistan for security reasons since 1998, and on Friday at least 62 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Peshawar, about 190 kilometers (120 miles) west of Rawalpindi.
The Tourists will play three Tests, as many as One Day Internationals and one Twenty20 match.
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