Australia approach Pakistan total as first Test heads towards a draw
- Planet Sport writer
- 7 March 2022
Fourth day of action at the Rawalpindi stadium saw Australia reach 449/7 to move within 27 runs of Pakistan.
The tourists resumed on 271/2 after the morning session faced a washout following overnight rain in the area.
Both Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith agonisingly missed out on centuries as they were bowled out for 90 and 78 respectively.
Labuschagne was able to add 21 to his overnight total before pushing Shaheen Shah Afridi to Abdullah Shafique at slip.
Smith, on the other hand, put on a fifth wicket stand of 81 with Cameron Green before the latter was caught at short fine leg after attempting to sweep Nauman Ali.
BIG MOMENT. BIG WICKET. #BoysReadyHain l #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/96wVKGm4At
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 7, 2022
Overall, the Pakistan spinner took four wickets and added Smith to his list of victims.
The former Aussie captain gloved behind to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, meaning Smith has now scored only one hundred in his last 27 Test innings.
Naseem Shah bowled Alex Carey with a beauty before bad light ended play prematurely once more, leaving a draw very much the probable outcome.
