Live Cricket Score, Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd Test, Day 1: Rains force an early end

Australia have taken 1-0 lead in the series after winning the first Test at Brisbane by 39 runs. Even though the hosts dominated the Test for most part, the win did not quite come easily to them.

Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s live coverage of Pakistan tour of Australia 2016-17. This is Day One of the second Test between the two teams. The Boxing Day Test is being played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne. This is the second game of the three-match Test series. Australia have taken 1-0 lead in the series after winning the first Test at Brisbane by 39 runs. Even though the hosts dominated the Test for most part, the win did not quite come easily to them. They first put 429 on the board and then bundled out Pakistan for 142. Once they declared their second innings at 202 for 5, a win looked a formality. However, there was a twist in the tale.

Chasing a daunting 490 to win, Pakistan almost pulled off a stunning chase, courtesy Asad Shafiq’s brilliant counterattacking knock. Batting at No.6, Shafiq scored a majestic 137 and kept Pakistan in the hunt. He was ably supported by fifties from veteran batsman Younis Khan and Azhar Ali. Later, Pakistan’s lower-order also chipped in with useful contributions and took the visitors close to victory. However, Australian bowlers held on to their nerves and ensured there was no upset, as they wrapped up a 39-run win.

Mitchell Starc (4) and Jackson Bird (3) wickets were the chief architects of the win in the final innings while Nathan Lyon also took 2 vital wickets. Starc, Bird and Josh Hazlewood were brilliant in the first innings too, when their effort of three-wickets each restricted Pakistan to a paltry 142, ensuring a huge 287-run lead. Skipper Steven Smith’s 16th and Peter Handscomb’s maiden Test hundred were also the reason behind the substantial lead. Young Matt Renshaw also contributed a solid 71 at the top of the order.

Live cricket scorecard: Australia vs Pakistan, 2nd Test at Melbourne

In the second innings too Australia batted well, with Usman Khawaja and Smith scoring half-centuries and helping the side set Pakistan a target of 490 to win. Remaining job was done by the bowlers, who despite a massive scare by Pakistani batsmen, managed to pull off a win and take all-important 1-0 lead in the series.

Buoyed by the win, Australia have named an unchanged squad for the second Test at MCG. They will look to plug the gaps from the first game and put up a clinical performance on display in the second game. Though they won the first game, the manner in which the victory came may not have impressed them. At Melbourne, the hosts will aim for a comprehensive win. Pakistan on the other hand, despite losing the first Test, must be proud of the effort they put up. They will look to take inspiration from the chase and look to play same brand of cricket in the second Test too.

Teams:

Australia: Steven Smith (c), David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali

Match timings: