Australia are firmly in driver’s seat of the first Test against Pakistan after the conclusion of third day’s play as the visitors finished the day on 70 for 2 in pursuit of 490.
Australia skipper Steven Smith did not enforce a follow-on on Misbah-ul-Haq’s men after they were dismissed for 142 in reply to Australia’s 429 and decided to bat for the second time in the match. He declared Australia’s second innings when the hosts raced to 202 for 5 inside 40 overs during dinner setting Pakistan an improbable target of 490. Usman Khawaja and Smith both scored half-centuries while Peter Handscomb scored a quickfire 35 to help Australia take control of the match.
Earlier, resuming the day on 97 for 8, Pakistan’s lower-order faced the Australia pacers bravely before they were all out for 142 to trail Australia by 287 runs. Wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed top-scored for the visitors with 59 and was ably supported by Mohammad Amir who scored 21 as the duo added 54 runs for the ninth wicket to help their team cross the 100-run mark after being reduced to 67 for 8.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play:
STUMPS: Pakistan 70/2, still need 420 runs in this Test match. #AUSvPAK
— Sportzwiki (@sportzwiki) December 17, 2016
Australia bowlers have been bowling more than 50% of their overs as maidens in this innings
Total overs – 31
Maidens – 16#AUSvPAK #AusvsPak— Cricket21 (@Cricket21_) December 17, 2016
Pakistan was #1 not to long ago. Australia was also number 1 when they got whitewashed in Sri Lanka. Interesting times for world cricket ?
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 17, 2016
Sami Aslam needs to roll himself up like an armadillo and take body shots for 2 days. It's the only hope.
— HawkesBay (Løuche) (@HawkesBay) December 17, 2016
Hazlewood – everytime – is a reminder of Stuart Clark #AUSvPAK
— Davis Harrigan (Digi) ? (@DeadlineDavis) December 17, 2016
The key here is to not lose any wicket till Day-5 3rd session ? #AUSvPAK #AchaSorry ?
— Sohaib Ahmed (@sohaiby) December 17, 2016
Me: Pakistan can draw this Match
Inner Me: They are gonna loose by 300+ Runs#AUSvPak pic.twitter.com/pWmkvrqGQm— Awais ?? (@MahrAwais) December 17, 2016
Pakistan need 490 to win or survive around 216 overs to draw this Test. No team has previously achieved either on Aust soil #AUSvPAK
— Andrew Ramsey (@ARamseyCricket) December 17, 2016
Focusing solely on the bowling dept is not a winning approach. Need to impose responsibility and confidence on the batsmen. #AUSvPAK
— Roha Nadeem (@RohaNadym) December 17, 2016
Pakistan 142 runs all out. Players of Pakistani descent: Moeen Ali 146 runs, Adil Rashid 60 runs, Usman Khawaja 4+74 runs #AUSvPAK #INDvENG
— Benjamin Nunis (@BenjaminNunis) December 17, 2016
We make history or embarrass ourselves but there is no in between. Score 490 runs, or survive 200+ overs #AUSvPAK
— Rouman Talat (@RoumanTalat) December 17, 2016
Aussies don't enforce us Follow on as we didn't enforced 2 u in both matches @ UAE #AUSvPAK #AUSvsPAK #PAKVSAUS
— Ahtsham Ranjha (@ahtsham_ranjha) December 17, 2016
Pakistan are set just 490 to win in about 215 overs. Required rate 2.27. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. #AusvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 17, 2016
What if Handscomb and Renshaw can only bat well by feeding on the energy of Maddinson's failures? Worth persevering to find out. #AUSvPAK
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) December 17, 2016
Even Nic Maddinson is starting to question his selection, "maybe it's time another New South Welshman should be given a go".#AUSvPAK
— These Daves (@TheseDaves1) December 17, 2016
If @Channel9 just aired an hour of @Uz_Khawaja cover drives it would rate through the roof.
A thing of beauty. @wwos @CricketAus #AUSvPAK— Matt Baseley (@MattBaseley) December 17, 2016