Pakistan hold advantage with 370-run lead at stumps on Day 3 of 2nd Test against Australia

Nov 1, 2014

By Sameer Jha

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Pakistan were 61 for 2, with a lead of 370 runs at stumps on Day 3 of the second Test against Australia at Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Australia had another bad day at the office, as they collapsed after scoring just 261 runs. Only Mitchell Marsh and Michael Clarke, were able to display solid resistance against the Pakistani bowlers who flourished on a wicket that was considered superb for batting until yesterday.

Glenn Maxwell, who appeared without his usual beard, played fearlessly and hit some crackalicious shots before being dismissed. Captain Clarke, put up a solid resistance, and was forming a efficient partnership with Mitchell Marsh, when Imran Khan bowled an absolute peach of a delivery to rattle his middle stump.

Marsh played some exquisite shots, and gave a good display of his talent and potential as a batsman. He narrowly missed his century, as he was dismissed on 87.

For Pakistan, as many as five bowlers chipped in with wickets, with Imran being the pick of the bowlers. The 27-year-old, who is only playing his second Test, bowled with a lot of heart and finished with figures of 3 for 60.

Pakistan started their innings on a fiery note, with Ahmed Shehzad hitting a six and two boundaries in the first over itself. However, his fire was soon extinguished by Mitchell Johnson who bowled him with a scorcher of a delivery. Mohammad Hafeez was dismissed soon after, and it was left to the cool and composed pair of Younis Khan and Azhar Ali to steady the Pakistan innings.

Australia are well and truly behind in the Test, and will need to produce some great batting in the second innings to save the Test match.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 570 for 6 (Younis Khan 213, Azhar Ali 109; Mitchell Starc 2 for 86) & 61 for 2 (Azhar Ali 21*, Ahmed Shehzad 14*; Mitchell Johnson 2 for 29) lead Australia 261 (Mitchell Marsh 87, Michael Clarke 47; Imran Khan 3 for 60) by 370 runs.

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