Marsh-Smith Lead Remarkable Comeback After Pakistan’s Rattling Bowling

In the second Test against Australia in Melbourne, Pakistan initially had the upper hand, securing four quick wickets in the second innings.

However, a pivotal partnership between Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith helped Australia stage a comeback. Despite the early setbacks, Australia managed to reach 187-6 by stumps, establishing a lead of 241 runs.

The Marsh-Smith duo’s impressive 153-run partnership revitalized Australia’s position after a challenging start at 16-4 on a bowler-friendly pitch. Marsh, who got a reprieve on 20 when dropped by Abdullah Shafique, went on to score 96 runs off 130 balls with 13 fours.

A remarkable catch by Salman Ali Agha at first slip, off Mir Hamza’s bowling, ended Marsh’s influential innings.

BOWLED! Mir Hamza rips an in-swinger through Travis Head first ball! #PlayOfTheDay | @Nrmainsurance | #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/8UbzVV8esa

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2023

Meanwhile, Steve Smith was dismissed by Shaheen Afridi on the last ball of the day after contributing 50 runs.

Resuming at 6-2 after lunch on day three, Mir Hamza’s two quick wickets, dismissing David Warner (6) and Travis Head (0), rattled the Australian side.

Also Read: Pakistan Cricket Team Players Are Not Happy With Hafeez’s Strict Restrictions

Earlier, on day three, Pakistan was dismissed for 264 in response to Australia’s 318. Pat Cummins claimed 5-48, and Nathan Lyon took 4-73, narrowing the first-innings lead to 54 runs.

Australia faced a challenging 15-minute period in the morning session and struggled, reaching 6-2 at lunch. Usman Khawaja was caught behind for a duck, and Marnus Labuschagne was out for five. David Warner remained not out on one at the break.

Pakistan, initially comfortable at 124-1, faced a collapse to 194-6 in the final session on Wednesday due to an impressive spell by Cummins. The visitors resumed their innings 124 runs behind, with Mohammad Rizwan on 29 and Aamer Jamal on two.

Rizwan’s confident start was halted by Cummins, who induced a drive straight to David Warner, ending Rizwan’s innings at 42.

Get him up the order! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/RSYJWACRvc

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2023

Aamer Jamal, accompanied by new partner Shaheen Afridi, chipped away at the lead. Lyon dismissed Afridi for 21, while Jamal remained unbeaten on 33.

Cummins secured his fifth wicket by dismissing Hasan Ali for two, and Lyon had Mir Hamza stumped, claiming his 505th Test wicket.