AUS vs PAK: Australia strike back in last session to finish Day 2 strongly in Melbourne

Pakistan ruled the roost in the first couple of sessions on Day 2 of the second Test against Australia in Melbourne before the hosts fought back post-Tea to finish on a strong note.

Australia started the day at 187/3, with Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head at the crease. Shaheen Afridi gave Pakistan their first breakthrough on Day 2 as he dismissed Head for 17. Labuschagne was the next to depart after scoring a sedate 63 off 155 balls. Australia kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 318. Aamer Jamal stood out for the tourists as he bagged a three-for.

The second session saw the Pakistani openers, Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq get their team off to a watchful start. They added 34 runs in 94 balls before Nathan Lyon got the better of the southpaw. Pakistan skipper Shan Masood came out to the crease and showed excellent positive intent. He got hit on his helmet by Josh Hazlewood but remained unfazed. Shafique played cautiously and the duo took their team to Tea.

In the final session, Shafique and Masood upped the ante and scored 56 runs in the first nine overs. Their 90-run partnership off 118 balls was broken by Australian captain Pat Cummins. The right-arm pacer took a sharp catch off his own bowling to send Shafique back to the hut for a 109-ball 62. This dismissal opened the floodgates for the home side as Cummins bowled a jaffa in his next over to castle Babar Azam.

Masood went on to score a half-century before Lyon dismissed him for a 76-ball 54. Hazlewood picked up the wicket of Saud Shakeel before Cummins came back to end Salman Ali Agha's short stay at the crease. Mohammad Rizwan rode his luck and remained unbeaten on 29 off 34 balls at the close of play. At 194/6, Pakistan still trail by 124 runs. The Asian giants will hope for Rizwan to add some crucial runs on Day 3 alongside the tailenders.

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