Boxing Day Test: Australia managed to gain a slight edge over Pakistan

On the initial day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia narrowly led Pakistan, largely due to rain interruptions. Australia concluded the day at 187 for 3, with Marnus Labuschagne not out at 44 and Travis Head unbeaten on 9. Hasan Ali, Aamer Jamal, and Agha Salman each claimed a wicket for Pakistan.

Pakistan chose to bowl first after winning the toss. Their bowlers pressured the Australian batsmen early, though their fielding efforts were lacking. An early opportunity was missed when Abdullah Shafique dropped a catch off Shaheen Afridi’s bowling.

Australia’s first wicket fell just before lunch, with Agha Salman dismissing David Warner at a team score of 90. Warner, in his final Test series, scored 38 from 83 balls but seemed uneasy. Post-lunch, Hasan Ali took out Usman Khawaja at 108, who scored a hard-fought 42 from 101 balls.

Steve Smith and Labuschagne then formed a slow partnership, adding 46 runs over 24.4 overs, including a rain delay that led to an early tea break.

After tea, debutant Aamer Jamal took Smith’s wicket, caught by Mohammad Rizwan, with Smith making 26 off 75 balls. Pakistan had a chance to surpass Australia but missed it when captain Shan Masood dropped a difficult catch from Travis Head.

Pakistan trails 0-1 in the three-match series, having lost the first Test by 360 runs.