Rawalpindi (AFP): Veteran batsman Azhar Ali and opener Imam-ul-Haq scored big hundreds to help Pakistan dominate Australia Saturday on the second day of the opening Test in Rawalpindi.
Azhar knocked 185 and Haq a career-best 157 to guide Pakistan to 476-4 against a hapless Australian attack on a placid and unresponsive Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch.
Skipper Babar Azam declared an hour before the close in the hope of an early wicket, but Australia ended the day on five without loss after bad light stopped play with 15 overs remaining.
Left-handed opener Usman Khawaja scored five, while David Warner was yet to get off the mark.
Australia will need another 272 runs to avoid the follow-on against Pakistan’s wily spinners, who are used to the pitch conditions. Azhar was delighted at scoring a hundred against the visitors. “I always enjoy scoring runs against Australia as they are one of the top teams and they challenge your abilities,” he said.
“It will be tough to bowl Australia out twice on this pitch, but I hope our bowlers do their best.” Australian Marnus Labuschagne, meanwhile, said his side had a tough fight ahead.
“I think the only way you get yourself back into a game like this is by taking it day by day, over by over. “We know we can turn this game.” The day began on a sombre note as players paid tribute to the legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne, who died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand Friday, with a minute’s silence. Both teams wore black arm bands, while the handful of early-morning spectators in the stands also stood in respect.
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