ZCZC
BSP-13
CRICKET-AUS-PAK
Dangerous Warner frustrates Pakistan in second Test
ADELAIDE, Australia, Nov 29, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – David Warner and Marnus
Labuschagne steered Australia to 70 for one in the opening session of the
day-night second Test against Pakistan in Adelaide Friday, justifying skipper
Tim Paine’s decision to bat first.
On an overcast afternoon and with the floodlights on from the first ball,
Warner was not out 45 and Labuschagne on 18 in ominous signs for the
visitors, after the pair both made centuries in the first Test in Brisbane.
Pakistan need to win to square the two-match series, but the odds are
heavily stacked against them, having lost 13 consecutive Tests in Australia.
Over the years, taking wickets in Australia has been a challenge for
Pakistan and they shuffled their bowling attack for the pink-ball Test.
Veteran seamer Mohammad Abbas, who tormented Australia when he took 17
wickets in two Tests in the UAE last October, returned in place of Imran Khan
while 16-year-old pace sensation Naseem Shah was rested.
That meant a debut for 19-year-old medium-fast right-armer Muhammad Musa,
but it was Shaheen Afridi who stood out and gave Pakistan early hope by
snaring Joe Burns. With the ball moving off the seam, the opener got an edge
to Mohammad Rizwan behind the stumps and was out for four.
That only brought Labuschagne to the crease.
He made 185 in the first Test and Warner 154, with the pair putting their
heads down to grind out runs, picking off loose balls to keep the scoreboard
ticking over.
Warner smacked eight fours, with Musa mostly on the receiving end, as he
neared a 31st Test half-century.
But the economical Afridi made it tough going, getting the ball to swing
and seam before the teams left the field five minutes early due to drizzle.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1230HRS