AUS vs PAK 2nd Test: Marnus Labuschagne Holds Firm As Pakistan Fumble Opportunities On Rain-Affected Day 1 At MCG

AUS vs PAK 2nd Test: The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) hosted a captivating opening day of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan. The day witnessed both rain interruptions and a gripping contest between bat and ball.

In the 66 overs play, Australia lost three wickets and scored crucial 187 runs, concluding the day in a favourable position. As anticipated before the match, adverse weather conditions forced a nearly three-hour delay in the afternoon session.

Shan Masood won the toss for Pakistan, giving Australia the chance to bat first. With initially favourable overcast conditions for bowlers, Pakistan missed an early opportunity as David Warner survived a dropped catch at slips in the third over by Abdullah Shafique.

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Pakistan made a comeback just before the lunch break as Agha Salman had Warner caught at slip. Pakistan's revamped pace attack, featuring Hasan Ali, found success as he justified his inclusion by dismissing opener Usman Khawaja.

Hasan and Shaheen Shah Afridi posed a consistent threat to the Australian batters, forcing Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith into a survival mode. Labuschagne showed resilience, facing 120 deliveries to secure an unbeaten 44 for the hosts.

Former captain Smith faced challenges from Aamer Jamal, who consistently tested him with an outside off-stump line. Smith ultimately fell to the pacer after Pakistan took a successful review. Replays showed a faint spike on the snickometer, resulting in Smith departing for a 75-ball 26.

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The day witnessed a close battle between the bat and the reinvigorated Pakistan pace attack. Travis Head, finishing the day unbeaten on nine, survived a nervy moment when he edged offspinner Salman Agha, only for the catch to be dropped by captain Shan Masood.

Head partnered with Labuschagne until umpires called stumps. All in all, Pakistan endured a day of missed opportunities, with their pacers' inconsistency yielding only three wickets by the end of play.