Khawaja puts Australia on top in the second Test against Pakistan

Usman Khawaja puts Australia on top in the second Test against Pakistan as batsman hits unbeaten 127 in special moment on his return to the country of his birth – as hosts are slammed for ‘NEGATIVE’ tactics

  • Usman Khawaja realised his dream after scoring an unbeaten 127 in Pakistan 
  • Khawaja, 35, scored a ton in the country of his birth in day one of the second Test
  • The batsman’s knock puts Australia on top on a frustrating day for the hosts 
  • Pakistan were blasted for their ‘negative’ tactics in the evening session 
  • READ: Labuschagne left red-faced after being run out for a duck in Karachi 

Opening batter Usman Khawaja hit a special century as Australia cruised to 251-3 at stumps on another slow, grassless wicket in the second test against Pakistan on Saturday.

Left-handed Khawaja, who narrowly missed out on the hundred in the drawn first test in the country of his birth, ended the day unbeaten on 127.

The 35-year-old had dreamt of reaching triple figures on his return to Pakistan, and his knock in Karachi was the third century he has scored since returning to the side this summer.  

Usman Khawaja scored a century as Australia took control of the second Test in Pakistan

The opening batsman hit an unbeaten 127 runs in the country of his birth on Saturday

Steve Smith fell in the penultimate over of the day, losing his wicket after scoring 72 runs having formed a strong partnership with Khawaja in the afternoon.

Pakistan had got two quick wickets before lunch but Khawaja and Smith toyed with the bowlers on a low-bounce wicket after the break.

Pakistan’s three fast bowlers did well to bring down the scoring rate by restricting Khawaja and Smith to only 15 runs in the last 12 overs before tea.

Khawaja was especially strong off his pads on the leg side against fast bowlers and even swept the two spinners with comfort as the wicket offered no assistance to the bowlers in the first two sessions. 

Steve Smith formed a good partnership with Khawaja but lost his wicket at the end of the day

Marnus Labuschagne walked for a duck after being run out in a rare error for the batsman

Khawaja and David Warner (36) provided Australia a brisk start of 82 runs after skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat. Pakistan hit back with two wickets, but Australia still managed to reach 100-2 in the first session.

Pakistan came back in the last hour before lunch when Faheem Ashraf (1-24) found the outside edge of Warner’s bat off a delivery that moved a fraction away from the left-hander.

Marnus Labuschagne, who faced nine balls, was run out without scoring when he couldn’t beat the direct throw from Sajid Khan at mid-off and fell short of his crease at the non-striker’s end.

Khawaja, who was dismissed for 97 in the first test, and Warner had earlier dominated the first hour by scoring a rapid 63 off 14 overs.

Fast bowler Hasan Ali, one of the two changes Pakistan had made from the first test along with Ashraf, and Shaheen Afridi couldn’t find any movement off a flat, grassless surface.

Pakistan were slammed for their ‘negative’ tactics on the opening day of play in Karachi

And the hosts came in for criticism for their ‘negative’ tactics during the opening day of play in Karachi. 

After the tea break, the Pakistan bowlers were deemed to bowling wides for negative tactics, while spinner Nauman Ali appealed for an lbw against Smith which was miles away from hitting the stumps. 

Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis was far from impressed with the action and blasted Babar Azam’s strategy.

‘That’s the only entertainment we’re going to get right now because the tactics I’m seeing at the moment is like we’re looking for a draw on the first day,’ Younis said.

‘It’s ridiculous.’ 

It’s Australia’s first tour of Pakistan in 24 years.




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