Australia once again squandered a very good position to get bowled out for 391 in their first innings against Pakistan in the series decider in Lahore. Despite positioning themselves for a huge first innings total following a productive morning session, Australia let go of the advantage as Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah ripped the lower order apart.
Cameron Green and Alex Carey, who kept the Pakistan bowlers at bay with their century stand, began the post lunch session in cracking fashion. Green fetched a boundary each in the first two overs and Carey followed suit with a boundary off Hasan Ali. Just when it appeared like Australia might run away with another session in this Test match, disaster struck as Nauman Ali trapped Carey leg-before-wicket to end a partnership worth 135.
Unfortunately for Australia, a similar tale to Day 1 unfolded as the advantage was lost as a result of regular wickets. Green, who was the key wicket at that stage, hit a couple of boundaries off Hasan Ali but a top notch delivery from Naseem breached his defence to send him packing for 79. The Pakistan seamers made excellent use of the reverse swing that was on offer to run through the tail.
After fetching a couple of boundaries off Shaheen, Mitchell Starc mistimed one in his attempt to get a third boundary of the over as he found the fielder at mid off. Naseem and Shaheen hit the stumps again to polish off the innings in quick time as Australia lost their last five wickets for just 50 runs. Even though 391 on the board isn’t a bad first innings total, they have certainly let go off an opportunity to take full toll of the toss they had won on the opening day.
Brief scores: Australia 391 (Usman Khawaja 91, Cameron Green 79; Naseem Shah 4/58, Shaheen Afridi 4/79) vs Pakistan.
