Australia vs Pakistan, second test in – LIVE from 4pm AEDT
From 0-82 to 2-91, Australia gave Pakistan an ‘opener’ on the morning of the opening of the second Test in Karachi.
After David Warner came across a brilliant piece of bowling for 36, Marnus Labuschagne ran away for a duck.
The world No. 1 Test batsman pushed halfway but was chased away by Sajid Khan, who hit the stumps and left Labuschagne just short.
Steve Smith (6) joined Usman Khawaja (51), who flies and races to his second half-century in as many rounds on this historic tour of Pakistan.
Australia is 2-98.
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Earlier, tourists were flying after Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat.
While Warner survived a few lbw shoutouts close to Hasan Ali, Khawaja looked sublime from the start and eventually his opening partner found his touch as well.
The pair hit Khan for 14, including two sixes in an ominous warning.
“What worries me about Pakistan is the pace at which they (Australia) score,” said former Pakistani captain and world-class speedster Waqar Younis at the start of the first session.
“The execution rate of 4.5 is really good.
“He struggled a bit in Warner’s early overs, then he just feels like he belongs here, using his feet well – and that should be a bit of a worry for Pakistan.”
“But Faheem Ashraf then pulled a rabbit out of a hat as he formed one and kissed the outside edge of Warner to leave Australia 1-81.
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Mitchell Swepson is the first leg batsman to be selected by Australia’s Test squad in 13 years as Cummins’ men seek a steadfast batting response from Pakistan in the series opener.
He is the only change in Australia’s XI, while Pakistan have recalled quick Hassan Ali and versatile Faheem Ashraf.
It’s an interesting selection from Pakistan, who called up another quick as Australia dropped Hazlewood.
“I get a sniffle, a puff, that they think the reserve is going to play a big part,” former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds said on fox cricket.
Pakistan racked up over 700 runs in two innings for the loss of just four wickets, with Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood losing his place in the XI to Swepson as rotation looms as the factor decisive in Karachi. On Saturday, Queensland teammate Usman Khawaja presented Swepson with his baggy green.
“He’s pumped and to be honest, we’re all pumped for Swepo,” Cummins said.
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“I’ve been drinking glasses for a long time in the last two years, but he’s absolutely ready. He was a big part of the team, even though he didn’t play.
“So we’re really excited to see him get a chance.”
After a relatively boring and batter-dominated first Test in Rawalpindi, there were fears that the Karachi pitch would provide a similarly lopsided contest between bat and ball.
But recent history suggests the game should provide plenty for both sides of the wicket.
When Pakistan hosted South Africa just over a year ago – the last test held there – even the tailors had joy at the box office.
Cummins said he expected very different ground in Karachi.
“I think it will be a bigger factor here, the place is much drier,” he said.
“With the rain in Rawalpindi, the ball got quite soft and wet at times, so I think that will be a much bigger factor here and probably a lot sooner too.”
There is no doubt that the spinners should be the deciding figures on the bowling side, with Nauman Ali hoping to back up his first Test six-wicket run with another influential performance on a pitch where he also picked up a five-wicket sack in this match. against South Africa.
For Australia, the introduction of Swepson could be key, but the batters are also hoping to convert half-centuries into big scores, after Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja were dismissed in the 90s.
The stage is set for an exciting test, with both sides desperate to secure a result in the historic series.
Pakistan have history in their favor, having lost just two of 43 Tests played at the National Stadium, while Australia have yet to win a Test match from eight attempts on the ground.
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