After the host team won the toss in the first Test in Perth, Australia ended the day batting against Pakistan with 346 runs for the loss of five wickets.
Openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja laid the foundation of the batting. Warner scored 164 runs with the help of 16 fours and four sixes.
On behalf of Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Usman Khawaja for 41 runs, Faheem Ashraf dismissed Marence Labushin for 16 runs, and Khurram Shahzad dismissed Smith for 31 runs to get his first Test wicket.
Test debutant bowler Aamir Jamal dismissed David Warner overhead.
Australia batting against Pakistan: Warner’s brilliant tone
The veteran southpaw was in imperial form, displaying his trademark aggressive intent from the get-go.
He scored his fifty off just 42 balls, leaping for boundaries with delightful drives and cuts. The highlight of his innings was undoubtedly the six he hit off Babar Azam’s off-spinner, driving the ball over long-on.
Warner brought up his century in style, a flick from Shaheen Shah Afridi finding the gap between midwicket and deep square leg, raising his bat to loud applause from the Perth crowd.
Australia batting against Pakistan: Khawaja’s Solid Support
While Warner stole the limelight, Khawaja was instrumental in setting the platform for the big score. He provided strength at the other end, countering the early swing threat with elegant strokes. His innings of 41 may not have grabbed the headlines, but it was invaluable in laying the foundation for the onslaught that followed.
After Warner’s departure, Marence Lebuschagne and Steven Smith took over, ensuring that the run rate remained brisk. Known for his unorthodox but effective batting, Labuschene played some delightful flicks and scoops and reached a well-composed half-century. Smith, ever the reliable teacher, stepped out of his usual class, easily finding boundaries and punishing anything loose. Both batsmen remain not out at the crease.
Pakistan’s bowling problems
Pakistan’s bowlers, especially their pace attack, toiled throughout the day without success. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf lacked the consistent rhythm and precision needed to trouble the in-form Australian batsmen. While they picked up wickets at intervals, they could not stem the flow of runs.
Yesterday, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced the playing eleven squad for the first Test match against Australia.
The playing XI includes captain Shan Masood along with Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad.
Fast bowlers Khurram Shahzad and Amir Jamal are making their Test debut in the Test match.
The second Test of the three-Test series between Australia and Pakistan will be played in Melbourne on December 26 and the third in Sydney on January 3.
This series is a part of the ICC World Test Championship and the Pakistani team is in the first position in the points table of the World Test Championship after playing two matches with 100 percent success.
The Australian team consists of captain Pat Cummins, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnos Laboshin, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc.
Nathan Lyne and Josh Hazlewood are also part of the Australian squad for the first match against Pakistan
It should be noted that Pakistan’s new Test captain Shaun Masood scored a double century in the warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Australia.
Before leaving for Australia, captain Shaun Masood said in a press conference that the Test series with Australia is a challenge, the conditions there are different from Pakistan, but they are determined to win.
