Lahore Test: Australia finish on 232/5; Usman Khawaja shines again
Australian opener Usman Khawaja continued his phenomenal run on Day 1 of the third Test against Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The left-handed batter smashed another 50+ score, however, he fell nine runs short of his century. Steven Smith also scored 59 as Australia finished on 232/5 at stumps. Pakistan seamer Shaheen Afridi had reduced Australia to 8/2 earlier in the day.
How did Day 1 pan out?
Australia were off to a terrible start after they elected to bat. The likes of David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne fell to Afridi in quick succession. However, Khawaja and Smith rescued the visitors with a 138-run stand. Youngster Naseem Shah dismissed Smith in the second session. Travis Head couldn't capitalize upon his start, while Cameron Green (20*) and Alex Carey (8*) returned unbeaten.
Khawaja slams his 16th Test half-century
Khawaja, who registered a record-breaking 160 in the Karachi Test, maintained his dominance in Lahore. He scored 91 off 219 balls with the help of 9 fours and 1 six. It was his 16th half-century in Test cricket. Khawaja missed his 12th Test century by nine runs. The left-handed batter now averages a staggering 88.80 against Pakistan in eight Tests.
Khawaja averages 107.83 in Tests this year
A look at Khawaja's Test scores in 2022: 137, 101*, 6, 11, 97, 160, 44*, and 91. The Australian opener has racked up 647 runs in the ongoing year at an incredible average of 107.83.
Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah took two wickets apiece
Pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi made early inroads in the Australian batting line-up. He got rid of both Warner and Labuschagne in the space of three deliveries. Naseem Shah broke the crucial stand between Khawaja and Smith by dismissing the latter. Off-spinner Sajid Khan removed Khawaja in the 75th over. Meanwhile, Shah dismissed Travis Head, the last dismissal of the day.
