Twitter Reactions: Australia ask Pakistan to chase history with 490

The Test match has been fair to both batsmen and the bowlers while there is enough assistance for the ball bearers the bat wielders too get value for their shots and runs with patience. Early in the day, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mohammad Amir got Pakistan some valuable runs, continuing from 97/8. The wicketkeeper batsman got to his half century while Amir also contributed 21 runs. While Sarfaraz remained unbeaten on 59, he lost all his partners and Pakistan were bowled out for 142.

Steve Smith continuing his predecessor’s legacy didn’t ask the visitors to follow on. Australia walked out to bat again and had a poor start. Both their openers David Warner and Matt Renshaw were dismissed cheaply for scores of 12 and 6 respectively. The Aussies would have certainly been worried there with Mohammad Amir and Rahat Ali picking early wickets.

Usman Khawaja who was out to a poor shot in the first innings got together with skipper Steve Smith and stabilized the sail. They had a 111-run partnership with Khawaja scoring 74 and Smith managing 63. The centurion from the first inning Peter Handscomb played another decent knock and scored a quick 35-run knock from 26 deliveries. After losing five wickets Australia declared with 202 runs and an overall lead of 490 runs.

Pakistan walked out to bat in the second innings with a mountain of a target ahead of them but had a positive intent. Though Sami Aslam didn’t last Mitchell Starc’s first spell Azhar Ali stayed there and had two brief partnerships. Towards the end of the day, Nathan Lyon scalped Babar Azam for 14. Younis Khan who bagged a duck in the first inning has played 19 balls in the second knock but is yet to nudge a single run in the game. At stumps, Pakistan still need 420 runs to win and have 8 lives in hand.

Here is how Twitter reacted during the course of the game:

Younis Khan in last 6 innings: 0, 11, 2, 1, 2, 0
Innings: 6, Runs: 16, Avg 2.666
Currently batting on 0* off 19 balls. #AUSvPAK #YounisKhan pic.twitter.com/sZPqyxU5ni

— S H A H I D ? (@cricket_worm) December 17, 2016

The Garry cheer squad! #AUSvPAK https://t.co/wtRMGgWB8f #Cricket pic.twitter.com/3lOBlEBVf4

— SportsNews (@BizSportsX) December 17, 2016

Found this photo on facebook , too good. #AUSvPAK #nicegary pic.twitter.com/nn1VomSFvs

— upcomingsports (@upcomingsportz) December 17, 2016

Number of runs conceded by Josh Hazlewood, by over:

0
1
0
0
0
0
3
0
1
0
0

11-8-5-0https://t.co/Zj6Z7HvHi5 #AUSvPAK

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 17, 2016

☔️Pouring now in Brisbane. Rain polite enough to wait til after the close of play at least. Stormy showers forecast for day 4 #AUSvPAK

— AlisonMitchell (@AlisonMitchell) December 17, 2016

what makes steve smith no.1 in test ranking.
talent : may be
technique : may be
aggression : yes
Dominance: absolutely #AUSvPAK

— WAQAS (@AhmadWaqax) December 17, 2016

Mickey Arthur talking about Sohail Khan:
1st spell is very good
2nd spell OK
3rd spell is tough
4th spell you get nothing#Cricket #AUSvPAK

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) December 17, 2016

We have charted Nic Maddinson’s Test career in graph form. Clearly a player of limitless potential #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/xd0sM1W6dC

— 51allout (@51allout) December 17, 2016

Mickey Arthur “We have Imran Khan who bowls well on wickets with a lot of grass but doesn’t have the pace to bowl on wickets here” #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) December 17, 2016

Most ducks in international cricket (Min 10000 runs)
Sanath Jayasuriya: 53
Mahela Jayawardena: 47
Afridi: 44
Younis Khan: 42*
Gayle:40

— JSK ? ? (@imjsk27) December 16, 2016

On every ball #YounisKhan facing..#AUSvPAK #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/tAJvFwwdzD

— Aleena! ?? (@Anmol_Aleena) December 17, 2016

Pakistan have formed a guard of honour for Maddinson’s final Test innings. #AusvPak

— Dennis ul Haq (@DennisCricket_) December 17, 2016

Smith (2,231) sneaks ahead of Warner (2,230) for runs in all 3 formats this year. Behind only Kohli (2,580) & Root (2,564) #AUSvPAK

— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) December 17, 2016

– Azharuddin has probably lost Younis Khan’s number!

— Asif Khan (@mak_asif) December 16, 2016

Younis Khan not at his best these days #Cricket #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/aUxKmVl1ve

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) December 16, 2016

We have Azhar Ali & Younis Khan; The two Triple Centurions in our Squad. For what sake Aussiea have given us target of 495 ?? #AUSvPAK

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) December 17, 2016

You know your team is in trouble when the pitch invader is on the field for longer than one of your leading batsmen #AUSvPAK #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) December 16, 2016

Pakistan are set just 490 to win in about 215 overs. Required rate 2.27. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. #AusvPak

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 17, 2016

I really think Younus needs to go back to ‘Younis’ to recapture his best form. #AUSvPAK

— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) December 17, 2016