SYDNEY – Mohammad Rizwan and Aamir Jamal showcased excellent performance and led Pakistan to 313 in the first inning of the third Test match against Australia in Sydney on Wednesday.
In response, Australia successfully negotiated an over to reach a score of 6-0 at stumps. David Warner, in his final Test, commenced his innings with a boundary off the first ball bowled by Sajid Khan, prompting the Pakistan team to extend a guard of honour to the veteran batter, drawing applause from the crowd.
Aamer Jamal played a crucial role by scoring a fifty in the lower order, aiding Pakistan in achieving a competitive total. In partnership with tailender Mir Hamza, Jamal added 86 runs for the last wicket, guiding Pakistan past 300 after being reduced to 227-9 at one point. Jamal’s innings comprised 82 runs off 97 balls, featuring nine fours and four sixes. Hamza provided valuable support, remaining unbeaten with seven runs in 43 balls.
SENSATIONAL EFFORT 🌟
Aamir Jamal smashes his maiden Test half-century! 🔥#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/3Bcsa7PFUd
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 3, 2024
Earlier in the innings, Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman took charge against Australia, orchestrating a recovery after a shaky start. Following a slump to 96 for five, Rizwan and Salman stitched a dynamic 94-run partnership. Rizwan, who missed the first Test, scored 88 runs off 103 balls before falling victim to a legside trap set by Pat Cummins just before tea.
Mitchell Starc dismissed Agha Salman after the tea break, who had scored 53 runs in 67 balls. Cummins, with figures of 5-61, achieved the distinction of becoming the first Australian to secure three consecutive five-wicket hauls in Tests since Nathan Lyon in 2017.
Despite winning the toss, Pakistan made a disastrous start, losing four wickets in the opening session, and skipper Shan Masood departed shortly after lunch for 35. The Australians had a dominant morning session, aiming to bid farewell to 37-year-old opening batter David Warner on a winning note in his final Test match in his home city.
Openers Abdullah Shafique and debutant Saim Ayub were dismissed early, setting the tone for Pakistan’s challenging innings. The series had already been secured by Australia with a 79-run victory in the second Test in Melbourne.
