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Pakistan’s cricketers showed some much-needed fight in the second test, but it’s Australia who are arguably on top, just.

Winning the toss, Pakistan decided to field first. The decision was threatening to be a bad one, especially when the openers of the home side Usman Khawaja and David Warner put on fifty for the first wicket.

The visitors would make the breakthrough courtesy of the bowling of part-time off-spinner Salman Agha, who removed David Warner.
Usman Khawaja soon followed and at 108-2, Shaan Masood’s Pakistan were just starting to sense an opening.

To their credit for large parts, the tourists bowled relatively well. Despite facing the challenge of a rejuvenated Pakistan bowling attack, Australia managed to get to 318 all out.

Pat Cummins’ men were indebted to Mitch Marsh (41) and Marnus Labuschagne (63). Pakistan in reply got their innings off to the worst start when Imam Ul-Haq was dismissed cheaply (10).

In the first test, they wilted when faced with pressure, on this occasion, skipper Shaan Masood (54) and Pakistani opener Abdullah Shafique (62) put on 90 for the second wicket.

After Shafique was dismissed, a mini-collapse followed. From being 142-2, Pakistan were 170-6. The writing looked on the wall and the concession of a big first-innings lead looked very likely.

Mohammed Rizwan (42), Shaheen Afridi (21) and an unbeaten 33 from Aamir Jamaal, helped Pakistan get to within 54 runs of Australia’s first-innings total.

To concede a 54-run lead is a lot, but the visitors Pakistan knew at the same time if they got some early breakthroughs anything could happen.

That’s what would happen as Afridi and Mir Hamza, tore through the Aussie top order. The World Test Champions were reduced to 16-4.

Could Australia be dismissed for below 100? Surely not was Mitch Marsh’s response as he (96) and Steve Smith combined and put 153 for the fifth wicket.

Marsh played some wonderful shots, and the way it was going, it was going to take something special to get him out.

That special moment came from Salman Agha, who dived superbly to his right to take a fine catch at slip to remove the West Australian.

As is the case with big partnerships, once the partnership is broken, the other partner in the partnership soon follows his colleague back to the pavilion.

The same would happen here as not too long after Marsh being dismissed Smith would too depart. No further wickets would fall after that.

Australia finished on 187-6, which is a lead of 241. Yes, it’s cliche, but the first hour will be crucial tomorrow for both sides.

Pat Cummins’ Australia hold a decent advantage over Pakistan, but if the tourists can dismiss their hosts quickly, then we have a game on our hands.

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