AUS v PAK, 3rd Test, Day 3 Review: Pakistan on the verge of following on despite Younis’ vigil

Veteran Younis Khan led the charge for Pakistan to keep the hopes of surviving the match burning helping Pakistan finish at 271 for 8 in the rain-affected third day of the 3rd Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The 39-year-old registered his 34th Test ton and formed the backbone of his team’s response to Australia’s mammoth first innings total of 538/8. His effort, however, seemed would be insufficient as the lower middle failed to show resistance allowing Australia to gain advantage in the final session.

It started to rain very early today and eventually gobbled up the morning session forcing the players to remain indoors and the fans with a stranded face under their umbrellas. Bad light the play delayed the play until 2.45pm before play could resume with only a minimum 54 overs possible divided in two sessions – one of which favored the tourist while the other saw Australia stage a comeback.

Pakistan began on 126 for 2, trailing by 412 runs. Younis Khan and Azhar Ali, who resurrected the inning after the early damage, took charge and continued with the same ease with which they batted yesterday. Dank conditions, however, made their time bit difficult at the start. The opening bowling pair Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood looked in firm control and seemed to be bowling at least a couple of potential wicket taking delivery every over.

The damp condition and the moist perhaps helping them little bit.  The most noticeable instance came in the 45th innings when Hazlewood almost got Azhar Ali with a sharp in swinger which umpire S. Ravi turned down before the Australians went for a review that showed that the ball wasn’t early smashing the stumps which eventually meant the umpires call stayed on.  A couple of edges also flew past the vacant areas but the batting duo kept crawling moved ahead.

But, as luck would have it, Azhar Ali, who reached 71, saw himself lose his wicket due to a  communication error in the 54th over. Younis drove Lyon to the mid wicket and quickly wanted a single. Ali, however, didn’t look keen and was instead interested in watching the ball which was on its way to Starc. The fast bowler didn’t waste much time and threw the ball to the part time wicket keeper who finished the job, bringing the first breakthrough of the day.

Peter Handscomb was behind the stumps replacing Mathew Wade who left the field due to nausea and diarrhea. He could not return to the field but Handscomb filled his place comfortable having an experiencing of keeping wickets in nearly 50 matches across first-class, List A and Twenty20 matches.

An over later Younis also survived a scare when he nearly gave a catch to Khawaja at short mid wicket but the ball luckily fell short of the fielder. At tea, they were 177/3 with Younis and Misbah together in each other’s company.

The last session titled in Australia’s favor as they chipped in with 5 wickets 94 runs. Pakistan began to lose its stance and it began with Misbah-ul-Haq’s wicket. The skipper continued to struggle with his form continued and got extended by one more game as he lost his wicket for just 18 runs. Younis Khan nonchalantly moved towards his record century.

His exuberance was on display when he hit a six to move two 98. But his partner Shafiq could not survive to see his senior reach the milestone and lost his wicket for just 4. But before Pakistan would feel upset about Shafiq’s dismissal, Younis, in the next over swept Lyon for a boundary to become the first player to score at least a Test century in 11 different countries.

Nathan Lyon got the reward for his accurate bowling and the impatience of the tail enders. Mohammad Amir scooped a simple catch to Warner at mid-on while Riaz was undone by a ripping off-break which breached wide open defense and crashed on the timber. Younis’ hard work was suddenly flushed down the drain as Pakistan lost his momentum within a matter of few overs.

Brief Scores:

Australia 538/8d (Matt Renshaw 184; Wahab Riaz 3/89)

Pakistan 271/8 in 95 overs (Younis Khan 136*; Nathan Lyon 3/98)