PAK vs AUS: 'All-rounder' Babar Azam cleans up Alex Carey to deny him a well-deserved century

Alex Carey was batting on 93 and was closing in on a well-deserved century. But then, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam scalped the wicket of the left-hander and Carey was dismissed seven runs shy of his ton.

Azam bowled a delivery that pitched on off stump and turned a fraction, and Carey went for the sweep shot. But then, the left-hander failed to make any connection and his stumps were shattered.

The official Twitter handle of Pakistan Cricket posted a video of Azam’s second Test wicket. “He told us he is an all-rounder, and who are we to doubt,” read the caption on the tweet.

You can see the dismissal of Alex Carey in the video below.

He told us he is an all-rounder, and who are we to doubt! 🤷🏻‍♂️#BoysReadyHain l #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/biqQm8Wv1B

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 13, 2022

Usman Khawaja scores a magnificent 160 to help Australia cross the 500-run mark

Australia produced a dominating display with the bat. Resuming the day at 251/3, the Australian side piled up a massive total of 505/8 in their first innings as opener Usman Khawaja stood tall with the willow and scored a superb 160 off 369 deliveries. Apart from Khawaja, the likes of Steve Smith and Alex Carey also struck handy half-centuries for the kangaroos as well.

Mitchell Starc also scored a patient 28* lower down the order to help the Aussies past the 500-run mark. With the ball, Faheem Ashraf and Sajid Khan were the pick for Pakistan. Both of them scalped two wickets apiece. Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali and skipper Babar Azam chipped in with one wicket each for the hosts.

The three-match Test series between Pakistan and Australia is currently locked at 0-0. The first Test match between the two sides that was held at Rawalpindi resulted in a stalemate. The International Cricket Council (ICC) rated the pitch used for the first Test as a ‘below average’ one as the strip was completely tilted towards the batters as the willow wielders made merry at the expense of the bowlers.