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Pakistan fight back to frustrate Australia as Cummins bags another five-wicket haul

An inspired Aamir Jamal and Mir Hamza put on 86 valuable runs for the final wicket to keep the visitors in the match

Published: Wed 3 Jan 2024, 3:05 PM

Updated: Wed 3 Jan 2024, 8:02 PM

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Australia’s Pat Cummins was at his explosive best during the first day of the third cricket Test match against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on January 3, 2024. -- IAFP

Australia’s Pat Cummins was at his explosive best during the first day of the third cricket Test match against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on January 3, 2024. -- IAFP

David Warner was allowed only a single over with the bat on the opening day of his final match as Pakistan's tail defied Australia before being bowled out for 313 in the third Test on Wednesday.

Australia captain Pat Cummins took a five-wicket haul for the third successive innings but Pakistan's lower order refused to fold in the face of the confidence-charged home attack after their top order had failed at the Sydney Cricket Ground.


Mohammad Rizwan hit 88 in a sixth-wicket partnership of 94 with Agha Salman (53) before an inspired Aamir Jamal put together a stand of 86 with Mir Hamza for the final wicket.

All-rounder Jamal, playing his maiden Test series, kept Warner and the crowd waiting for nearly two hours with his superb 82 from 97 deliveries in the unequal partnership with Hamza, who finished on seven not out.

Australia’s Pat Cummins (L) celebrates the wicket of Pakistan’s Sajid Khan with teammates during the first day of the third cricket Test match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on January 3, 2024. -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --(Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Australia’s Pat Cummins (L) celebrates the wicket of Pakistan’s Sajid Khan with teammates during the first day of the third cricket Test match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on January 3, 2024. -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --(Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Warner would not be denied his moment, however, and a crowd of 34,000 rose as one in the late afternoon gloom when he came out to open the batting in his 112th test with his childhood friend Usman Khawaja.

Having discarded the new baggy green cap he was given after his went missing in transit from Melbourne for a helmet, Warner shared a hug with Khawaja on the boundary rope before getting down to work.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan had the honour of bowling the over and Warner punched his first delivery to the boundary for four.

He took two more runs from the third ball and was nearly dismissed when he lost sight of the fifth but Australia will resume the innings on six without loss on Thursday.

"History would suggest he's always been able to find stuff when he needs to," Mitchell Marsh said of Warner.

"One of our key themes for the week is to hopefully send him out with a win, but most importantly for him to enjoy his last five days as a test cricketer."

Miserable start

It had appeared likely that Warner would get his ovation much earlier in the day when Pakistan, already 2-0 down in the series after losses in Perth and Melbourne, made a miserable start to their innings after winning the toss.

Openers Abdullah Shafique and debutant Saim Ayub departed for ducks inside the first eight deliveries as both Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood struck with their second balls of the day.

The irrepressible Cummins (5-61) soon got in on the act to remove danger man Babar Azam for 26 and Saud Shakeel for five to leave the tourists floundering on 47-4.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood was fortunate to avoid an exit on 32 when Marsh over-stepped the mark but the Australia all-rounder finally got his man for 35 and it was left to wicketkeeper Rizwan and Salman to rescue their team from 96-5.

As is so often the case, Cummins came back on and almost immediately separated them when Rizwan looped a rising delivery straight to Hazlewood on the boundary.

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Sajid had made 15 when he became Cummins's fourth victim courtesy of a Nathan Lyon catch and Salman departed with an ill-judged shot.

Hasan Ali also holed out in the deep to give Cummins a 12th five-wicket haul in tests to add to those he claimed in both innings in the Boxing Day clash in Melbourne.

Brief scores

Australia: First innings6 - for no loss (1.0overs)

Pakistan: First innings 313 all out

Close - Australia trail Pakistan by 307 runs with 10 wickets remaining



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