Six for 69 by Aamer Jamal gave Pakistan a narrow first-innings lead in the third test against Australia on Friday. However, the home bowlers struck back, leaving the match in the balance heading into the final two days of the series. Josh Hazlewood (4-9) was instrumental in tipping the scales towards the home side with three wickets in the penultimate over of the day, leaving Pakistan reeling on 68-7 with a lead of 82 runs.
Mohammad Rizwan and Jamal will look to set Australia a more imposing fourth-innings target on a deteriorating pitch as they resume on Saturday with scores of six not out and yet to score, respectively. Hazlewood expressed confidence, saying, “It’s quite tough, (a chase of) under 100 would be outstanding but anything under 130 would be ideal.”
The Sydney Cricket Ground witnessed a bumper crowd of more than 37,000 for the annual Jane McGrath charity day, but the early action was underwhelming. Pakistan’s bowlers delivered 33 dot balls as Australia took their time in their pursuit of the tourists’ 313.
Steve Smith departed for 38 and Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed for 60 before lunch, undone by a delivery from spinner Agha Salman. Jamal and Sajid Khan then took wickets to leave the hosts on 289-6, threatening Australia’s chances of a first-innings lead. Jamal secured his second six-wicket haul of the series after taking 6-111 on debut in the first test in Perth.
Australia was dismissed for 299, a deficit of 14 runs, as Jamal took four wickets in just seven balls after the break. The 27-year-old, playing only his third test, finished with six for 69. Pakistan quickly discovered that there was a long way to go yet in their quest to end a losing streak of 16 tests in Australia since their last win in 1995.
Abdullah Shafique was bowled by Mitchell Starc in the first over to make it a pair of ducks in the match. Skipper Shan Masood went for a golden duck two balls later, caught behind off Hazlewood, as Pakistan slumped to 1-2. Debutant Saim Ayub settled the innings with Babar Azam before being trapped in front for 33 by Lyon. Azam followed for 23, caught behind off Head’s spin and then came Hazlewood’s devastating late spell.
Australia have already wrapped up the series after victories in the first two tests in Perth and Melbourne but are desperate to send David Warner out a winner at his home ground in his final test.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
