Rawalpindi, March 6: Usman Khawaja narrowly missed out on a century in the country of his birth as Australia’s top batters made full use of a placid wicket to reach 271-2 on the third day of the first test against Pakistan on Sunday.
Khawaja capitalized on two dropped catches to score 97 while his opening partner David Warner (68) and Marnus Labuschagne (69*) also scored half centuries.
Australia still trails by 205 runs in its first test in Pakistan in 24 years after the home team had declared at 476-4 late on the second day.
Labuschagne, who hit nine boundaries, raised his half century under overcast conditions in a shortened last session and vice-captain Steve Smith was not out on 24 when umpires took the players off the field.
Pakistan’s only productive period with the ball came when its spinners claimed the wickets of Khawaja and Warner in the second session.
Khawaja had escaped a second chance when on 62 with wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan unable to grab a sharp chance off a reverse sweep against left-arm spinner Nauman Ali (1-49).
However, he attempted the same extravagant shot again against Nauman and was caught close to the wicket when Pakistan successfully called for a television review against onfield umpire Aleem Dar’s not out decision. (AP)
