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Shafique spoons a dolly
The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground roared to life, this day with Pakistan opting to bowl first after winning the toss. Australia's openers, David Warner and Usman Khawaja, started confidently, building a solid 90-run partnership before Salman Ali Agha delivered a crucial blow just before lunch, sending Warner back to the pavilion.
Early in the second session, Hasan Ali followed suit, dismissing Khawaja. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith held the fort for a while, sharing a 46-run stand before Aamer Jamal got rid of the latter. Labuschagne now has the company of Travis Head who has had an incredible year. The former will be eager to cap off a difficult year with a strong performance while Head will be looking to put up another solid show. The score being 162-3, Pakistan need to keep taking wickets to stay in the game as this Australian side has a deep and dangerous batting line-up. As such, the stage is set for a captivating battle as the Boxing Day Test unfolds, with both sides vying for victory, one to take an unassailable lead while the other to equalize the series.
Shafique drops a dolly
David Warner gets a life on two! Shaheen Afridi gets the ball swinging and Abdullah Shafique puts it down at first slip #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/EJc4AptxJk
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 25, 2023
David Warner made just 38 but he could have been sent back to the sheds for just 2 runs had Abdullah Shafique held on to what was a simple catch at first slip. Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled a lovely inswinger that squared up the experienced southpaw who nicked the ball to Shafique. Shafique ended up making a meal of it.
It was quite disappointing for Shaheen as well as the team as Warner has been a thorn in their flesh, especially in the longest format of the game. He has scored a triple-century against them and also scored a ton in the previous game at the Optus Stadium In Perth. On this occasion, the damage wasn't huge but the visitors must hold on to the chances that they receive if they want to compete against a rampant Aussie side playing in their conditions.