Australia dominated Pakistan on Day 1 of the second Test in Karachi Saturday with Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith stitching a 159-run third-wicket stand in 409 balls. Aussie skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat first at the National Stadium. Visiting openers survived some anxious moments to add 82 runs for the first wicket before Faheem Ashraf struck in the 18th over to get the wicket of David Warner for 36. It was followed by the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, who became a victim of Sajid Khan's direct hit, for a nine-ball duck. But the other opener, Khawaja continued and with Smith, he frustrated Pakistani bowlers. The Islamabad-born batter had missed a century by three runs in the first innings of the first Test. But in Karachi, Khawaja compiled a brilliant unbeaten ton (127 off 266 not out) to steer Australia to a strong position. Smith, who scored 78 in Rawalpindi, got out in the penultimate over for 72 off 214 balls with Hasan Ali claiming the wicket, courtesy a stunning catch by Faheem Ashraf at slip. Australia reached 251/3 at the close of play. Catch Day 1 highlights and cricket scores of PAK vs AUS, 2nd Test here.
5:57 PM IST: Stumps
Shaheen Afridi with the final over of the day. A single off the first as Usman Khawaja plays it to cover. Nathan Lyon manages to survive the remaining deliveries. 16 runs and one wicket in the last ten overs. Khawaja and Lyon unbeaten on 127 off 266 and 0 off 6. AUS - 251/3 (90)
5:51 PM IST: Smith Goes
Stunning catch at slip. Faheem Ashraf pulls off a one-handed stunner to send Steve Smith back. The former Aussie captain goes for 72 off 214 balls with seven balls remaining in the day's play. Wicket for Hasan Ali. Nathan Lyon is the nightwatchman. AUS - 250/3 (88.5)
5:31 PM IST: Three Overs Remaining
Hasan Ali returns for his 11th over. A maiden to Usman Khawaja. 25 runs in the last ten overs. Three overs remaining in the day's play. AUS - 249/2 (87)
5:22 PM IST: 150-run Stand
Shaheen Afridi on with his 15th over. Usman Khawaja (124 off 254) hits the last ball for a four and 150-run stand with Steve Smith (67 off 192) in 374 balls. 31 runs in the last ten overs. Afridi's figures: 15-6-36-0. AUS - 243/2 (83)
4:45 PM IST: Khawaja-Smith Steers AUS
Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith steer Australia past 200-run mark. The third-wicket stand grows to 126. AUS 217/2 (75)
4:05 PM IST: Khawaja Ton
A single off the fifth and it's a Usman Khawaja ton in Pakistan. Third in six innings for the Pakistan-born Australian. His 11th. Three from Sajid Khan's 13th over. AUS 198/2 (64)
3:58 PM IST: Smith 50
Steve Smith takes a single off the last ball to reach his 35th Test fifty. 129 balls, five fours. One run from Sajid Khan's 12th over. 28 runs in the last ten overs. AUS - 193/2 (62)
3:51 PM IST: 100-run Stand
Sajid Khan on with his 11th over. Steven Smith takes a single off the second and a 100-run stand with Usman Khawaja. Smith and Khawaja are unbeaten on 49 and 97 respectively. AUS - 192/2 (60)
3:14 PM IST: Tea
Sajid Khan with the final over before tea. Three runs from the over. 75 runs in the post-lunch session. Usman Khawaja (86) and Steve Smith (40) in an unbeaten 81-run stand. AUS - 172/2 (54)
2:48 PM IST: Maidens
Shaheen Afridi with his 11th over. A maiden to Steve Smith. Third on the trot. The third-wicket stand between Usman Khawaja (82) and Steve Smith (36) is now worth 71. AUS - 162/2 (48)
2:05 PM IST: 150 Up
Hasan Ali returns for his 8th over. Two from the over. Usman Khawaja (79) and Steve Smith (31) stand is now worth 61 in 115 balls. Australia added 43 runs in the last ten overs. AUS - 152/2 (40)
1:47 PM IST: Khawaja-Smith Stand
Nauman Ali is bowling in tandem with Shaheen Afridi. A single from his ninth over. 29 runs in the last ten overs. A 36-run stand between Usman Khawaja (61) and Steven Smith (24). AUS - 127/2 (35)
1:15 PM IST: Play Resumes
Shaheen Afridi resumes the proceedings after lunch. Three dots to Usman Khawaja, then a couple to cover. AUS - 102/2 (28)
12:32 PM IST: Lunch
Nauman Ali with the final over before Lunch on Day 1. Two runs from it and 21 in the last ten. Usman Khawaja (52 off 83) and Steven Smith (78 off 23) unbeaten for Australia. AUS - 100/2 (27)
12:08 PM IST: Run Out
A stunning direct hit from Sajid Khan sends Marnus Labuschagne back for a nine-ball duck. Steven Smith is the new man. AUS - 91/2 (20.6)
11:56 AM IST: First Wicket
Faheem Ashraf with the breakthrough for Pakistan. An outside edge and David Warner is gone for 36 off 48. Clean take by Mohammad Rizwan. Marnus Labuschagne is the new man. AUS - 82/1 (17.6)
11:39 AM IST: Good Start For Aussies
Sajid Khan on with his third over. Two singles. Nine runs in the last three overs. Usman Khawaja on 35 and David Warner on 29. AUS - 65/0 (15)
11:18 AM IST: Bowling Change
Faheem Ashraf, right-arm pacer, on. Usman Khawaja hits the fifth ball for a four. Khawaja and David Warner on 26 and 18 runs respectively. AUS - 45/0 (10)
10:53 AM IST: LBW Shouts
Shaheen Afridi continues. A massive appeal against David Warner for LBW off the second ball. Inside edge, then another huge shot. Little high. Warner plays a cover drive to break the shackles. Three runs to extra cover. AUS - 13/0 (5)
10:39 AM IST: Khawaja Survives
Hasan Ali shares the new ball with Shaheen Afridi, who conceded a couple in the first over. Usman Khawaja gets an outside edge off the fifth. Almost carried to the second slip. Two from the over. AUS - 4/0 (2)
10:30 AM IST: Play Begins
Shaheen Afridi with the first over. David Warner to take the first strike. Usman Khawaja is his opening partner.
10:09 AM IST: Playing XIs
Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf in for Ifthikhar Ahmed and Naseem Shah for Pakistan. Mitchell Swepson in for Josh Hazlewood for Australia.
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Sajid Khan.
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson.
10:02 AM IST: Toss
Australia win the toss and opt to bat first against Pakistan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and former captain Ramiz Raja admitted that the Test was a bad advertisement for long-format cricket and Karachi could see a surface that could promise a result.
Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson will debut for Australia and will replace Josh Hazlewood. Pakistan are expected to welcome back Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali. This would mean a contest between two teams loaded with quality bowlers. AUS have lost five of their eight Tests in Karachi.
