Australia vs Pakistan: Pakistan strike five wickets on Day 1 but Khawaja and Smith fight back
The decisive Test match of the series saw a slow-low pitch at Lahore. Australia scaled the score to 235 but lost five crucial wickets as Pakistan fought back in the final session with three wickets taken before stumps.
Image credit: SALive Image Steve Smith batted well as he helped an Aussie fight backAustralia got a terrible start and a horrific final hour on the first day.
In the series, which saw a fight for bowlers to take wickets, the host did a tremendous job by claiming five wickets on the first day with scope for more if they would have fielded better.
Bold start from Pakistan
Australia won the toss to bat first with David Warner and Usman Khawaja opening the innings for the day.
Pakistan-star bowler Shaheen Afridi gave his team more than a perfect start by dismissing David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne in just three deliveries.
Despite a good start, they couldn’t pull off well to maintain pressure on Australia.
Shaheen Shah Afridi said, "I always try to take early wickets with the new ball.
"The wicket is pretty good for batting, my plan was to bowl in the right areas.
"We (the pacers) didn't get a lot of help in the last two Tests, so we thought about being consistent, bowl wicket-to-wicket. We (as a bowling group) wanted to execute our plans and think we did so."
Cruising total by Khawaja-Smith
Pakistan had multiple misfields where they leaked runs and chances to take wickets. Hasan Ali initially bowled a no-ball in almost every over but bowled well later in the day.
Australia took advantage to pull the first two sessions with the partnership of Smith and Khawaja stitching a monumental 138 runs off 327 balls.
Pakistan bowlers kept trying to get into the play and take over the batters.
With not much help from the pitch, both the batters looked almost untroubled as they rebuilt the innings for Australia after the loss of two early wickets.
They sailed the ship for Australia to make up 235 on Day 1.
