Paceman hold the key to a titanic struggle at the MCG – Cummins, Hamza and Afridi hold the key. Lyon will have a say on uneven track. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports editor)
Pat Cummins led from the front grabbing five wickets, and then Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith staved off a brilliant Pakistan fightback to steer Australia to safety and possibly victory in the second Test at the MCG.
Cummins absolute control with the ball saw Pakistan fall 54 runs short of Australia’s first innings total of 318 before Pakistan staged a dramatic comeback grabbing four for 16 sending shock waves through the home team.
Mir Hamza and Shaheen Shah Afridi were lethal in Australia’s second stint removing Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, David Warner and Travis Head leaving Australia in total confusion.
Hamza and Afridi grabbed three wickets each to give Pakistan a glimmer of hope for an unlikely win.
There was a definite air of expectation of an upset which was dashed by a crucial dropped catch off Mitchell Marsh.
Pakistan will rue their fielding lapses particularly the dropped sitter at first slip by Abdullah Shafique off Mitchell Marsh which would have had Australia in dire straits. Marsh cashed in on his life at 20 to make a match saving 96.
Shabby fielding certainly played a big part in Pakistan’s failure to gain control and possibly gain a morale boosting second Test win. It takes sustained allround ability to usurp Australia at home.
Marsh rode his luck to pull Australia out of the rut then raced towards his century as Pakistan rued that important let off.
But Pakistani quick Mir Hamza had other ideas finding the edge of Marsh’s bat and a diving Agha Salman snatched a brilliant catch at first slip to leave him four runs short of a well deserved century.
Smith in contrast played a sheet anchor role surviving a couple of close calls for LBW and backed Marsh towards a match winning lead.
After an arduous but crucial knock, Smith opened the door for an unlikely Pakistan win by edging Shaheen Shah Afridi to Agha Salman at first slip to be dismissed for 50 in the last over of the day.
A 242 run lead with four wickets intact at the close, leaves the contest in the balance.
Australia go into day four hoping for a lead of at least 300. Anything less is well within Pakistan’s reach if they bat with better discipline. They will be hoping Barbar Azam can reverse his form slump.
The two paced surface suggests a tough day at the office for Pakistan against a very accurate and tormenting Australian bowling attack. It will be the fitting culmination to a riveting rollercoaster where Pakistan stood tall against the dominant Australians.
