Shafique, Azhar show steel after pacers’ masterclass

Lahore: In-form opening batter Abdullah Shafique and veteran Azhar Ali led Pakistan to 90-1 after Australia was bowled out for 391 on the second day of the third and final test on Tuesday.

Sedate half-centuries by Cameron Green and Alex Carey earned them Australia’s highest sixth-wicket stand in Pakistan, worth 135. But they were broken up after lunch and Australia was all out on the strike of tea.

Recalled 19-year-old fast bowler Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi share eight wickets as Pakistan took Australia’s last five wickets for 50 runs.

“You have to be patient on such wickets where you have to wait for the ball to get old for reverse swing and get results,” Afridi said.

Australia could snare the wicket of only Imam-ul-Haq for 11 on the slow pitch before Shafique and Azhar shared a gritty 70-run stand in two hours. Shafique made an unbeaten 45 and Azhar reached 30 until play was called off due to bad light five overs before the scheduled end.

Pakistan trailed by 301 runs in the series-deciding test.

Earlier, allrounder Green made 79 in his 12th test match and Carey scored 67 in nearly three hours against the persistent reverse swing from Naseem, who took 4-58, and Shaheen, who picked 4-79.

Naseem bowled his heart out in 31 overs of relentless pace and reverse swing in hot conditions as he and Afridi wrapped up Australia’s tailenders. Naseem denied Green his maiden test hundred when he clean bowled the tall right-hander.

Scores: Pakistan 90/1 (Abdullah Shafique 45*, Azhar Ali 30*; Pat Cummins 1/27) trail Australia 391 (Usman Khawaja 91, Cameron Green 79; Naseem Shah 4/58, Shaheen Afridi 4/79) by 301 runs