Australia Charges on Boxing Day at the MCG, Pakistan Fights Back
Australia started brightly on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, but persistent rain and disciplined bowling restricted them to 187 for 3 at stumps. Marnus Labuschagne (44*) and Travis Head (10*) will resume batting tomorrow morning, with the hosts aiming to secure the series win with one match remaining.
Coming off a crushing 360-run victory in Perth, the world champions hoped to extend their advantage on a seemingly bowler-friendly green pitch at the MCG. Pakistan, on the other hand, desperately needed a response after the first Test debacle and some key injuries.
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Left-arm pacers Shaheen Afridi and Mir Hamza made the ball swing early, putting the Australian openers under pressure. David Warner, nearing the end of his illustrious career, was gifted a reprieve when Abdullah Shafique dropped a straightforward catch at slip in the third over.
Warner eventually fell for 38, edging a wide delivery from spinner Agha Salman to Babar Azam at slip. “They challenged our front-foot defense,” Warner admitted. “They didn’t give us freebies like in Perth, so it was a tough start.”
Usman Khawaja, embroiled in a dispute with the ICC over personalized boots, followed soon after, edging a Hasan Ali delivery to Salman for 42.
Labuschagne and Steve Smith weathered a testing period before rain forced an early tea, sending much of the 62,167-strong crowd scrambling for cover.
Upon resumption, the questions continued as Smith was adjudged LBW for 19. He successfully reviewed the decision, with replays showing the ball missing the stumps. However, another review for caught behind off Aamer Jamal ended Smith’s stay at 26, a faint nick confirmed by technology.
Despite the late setbacks, Australia remain in a decent position. Labuschagne and Head are well set, and the rain-shortened day has kept the bowlers fresh. However, Pakistan’s bowlers have shown commendable resilience, and the weather remains a significant factor that could swing the pendulum in either direction.
