2nd Test: Cummins’ spell puts Australia in driver seat

Although Pakistan managed to dismiss Australia within a session and saw impressive half-centuries from Abdullah Shafique and captain Shan Masood, the second day of the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Wednesday turned out to be disappointing for the team.

Coming out to bat in their first innings, Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq gave a decent start to their side, with Shafique being the key accumulator. Imam on the other hand succumbed to a great delivery by Nathan Lyon, giving a catch to Marnus Labuschagne for just 10. Pakistan was 34/1. Skipper Shan Masood was next up at the crease. Pakistan reached the 50-run mark in 19.1 overs.

At the end of the second session (Tea), Pakistan was 68/1, with Masood (15*) and Shafique (39*) unbeaten. After the break, Masood played Lyon’s spin with a positive, attacking intent while Shafique also kept one end steady. Shafique reached his half-century in 90 balls with four boundaries. This was his fifth Test fifty. Pakistan reached the 100-run mark in 28.5 overs.

Masood targeted spin while Shafique targeted pacers. A 90-run stand between them for the second wicket was ended by skipper Pat Cummins, who caught and bowled Shafique for 62 in 109 balls, with five fours. Pakistan was 124/2. Cummins got his second wicket when he rattled Babar Azam’s stumps for just one run. Azam’s terrible form continued with this inning, leaving Pakistan at 131/3. Masood playing a captain’s knock brought up his eighth Test fifty in 63 balls.

Josh Hazlewood’s delivery ended Saud Shakeel’s disappointing nine-run knock, ending his string of double-digit scores that lasted till now for eight Tests. Pakistan was 151/5.
Cummins was running through the Pakistani middle-order, getting his third wicket, Agha Salman for just five runs after being caught by wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey. Pakistan was 170/6.