Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
Australia declare early on fourth day to leave target of 506
Written by I Dig Sports
Published in
Cricket
Monday, 14 March 2022 23:08
Australia 556 for 9 dec and 97 for 2 dec lead Pakistan 148 by 505 runs
Captain Pat Cummins declared Australia's second innings earlier than expected on day four, leaving the tourists almost two full days to claim the second Test and a 1-0 series lead over Pakistan.
Australia batted for just 25 minutes before the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne on 44 prompted Cummins to declare at 97 for 2. The tourists lead by 506 runs with 172 overs left in the match.
The only other time Australia declared both their innings in a Test in Asia was against India during the famous tied Test in Chennai in 1986.
There was intrigue on when Cummins would declare after he raised some eyebrows late on day three when he opted to bat again even though Australia routed Pakistan for 148 in just 53 overs.
Cummins had earlier preferred a conservative approach after waiting until Australia racked up a marathon 556 for 9 off 189 overs in their first innings.
With everyone waiting for the inevitable declaration, play went through the motions with Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja bogged down against accurate bowling from quicks Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was rewarded with the wicket of Labuschagne.
Khawaja, who has hit three tons in six previous innings since his recall, finished 44 not out but the declaration cut short his chance of adding a second twin century in his last four Tests.
After a stalemate start to the day's play, Australia will aim to apply the heat on a weary Pakistan in a bid to take a series lead.