AUS vs PAK, 2nd Test, Day 3: Pakistan 3-wickets Down In 2nd Innings, Trail By 248 At Stumps

Australia seized the initiative on Day 3 of the ongoing Day-Night Test at Adelaide after Jos Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc bowled a fiery spell to  reduce visitors Pakistan for 39-3 in their second innings

Australia seized the initiative on Day 3 of the ongoing Day-Night Test at Adelaide after Jos Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc bowled a fiery spell to  reduce visitors Pakistan for 39-3 in their second innings and leaving the visitors trailing by massive 248 at stumps. After Pakistan were bowled out for 302 in their first innings post Yasir Shah's gritty maiden, skipper Tim Paine imposed the follow on on the visitors and had them reeling again with three of their top order batsman back to the pavilion. While seamer Hazelwood dismissed opener Imam-Ul-Haq for a duck, Starc who picked up six wickets in the first innings sent back the experienced Azhar Ali for 9 and Hazelwood struck in quick succesion to dismiss Babar Azam for 8. At stumps opener Shan Masood (14) and Asad Shafiq (8) were unbeaten at the crease. Pakistan showed tremendous character and grit to bail themselves out of trouble and post 302 in their first innings against Australia on Day 3 of the ongoing Day-Night Test at the Adelaide Oval. Australian captain Tim Paine had no hesitance in imposing the follow on as the visitors still trail the hosts by a massive 287 runs. At the dinner break, Pakistan were dented with an early blow as seamer Jos Hazelwood struck early to dismiss opener Imam-ul-Haq for a duck. Pakistan were 2-1 in their second innings with opener Shan Masood batting at the crease. In reply to Australia's mammoth 589 first innings total, Pakistan reduced to 89 for 6, showed great resolve courtesy a gritty and resilient batting performance by batting mainstay Babar Azam and lower order batsman Yasir Shah. The duo stitched together a fighting partnership to resurrect the Pakistani innings and help them stay afloat in the match . While Azam missed his well deserving ton after being scalped by seamer Starc for 97, Yasir kicked on to register his maiden Test ton. Shah also got some valuable support from No.10 Mohammad Abbas who chipped in with a defiant 29-run knock to help the visitors Mitchell Starc was pick of the Australian seamers returning with figures of 6 for 66. Pat Cummins was equally menacing, picking up 3 wickets.