In pursuit of a daunting target of 450 runs set by Australia, the Shan Masood-led Pakistan-XI faced a formidable challenge at Perth International Cricket Stadium. The situation turned dire for Pakistan as they lost three wickets for a mere 19 runs, indicating a difficult start to their chase.
The previous day saw Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh guiding Australia to a commanding lead of 402 runs over Pakistan. Resuming at 84-2 on the fourth day of the opening Test at Perth Stadium, the Australian duo battled to 186-4 by lunch, signaling a likely declaration later in the day.
During this crucial period, Khawaja showcased a resilient performance, remaining unbeaten on 68, while Marsh provided valuable support with an unbeaten 42, contributing to a partnership worth 79 runs. Despite the deteriorating pitch and challenging conditions, the Australian batsmen displayed determination.
On the bowling front, impressive debutant Khurram Shahzad made a breakthrough by dismissing Steve Smith for 45, trapping him lbw with a ball that nipped back. Smith’s unsuccessful review confirmed the decision, and he left the field visibly disappointed.
Travis Head, the aggressive Australian batsman, joined the fray and signaled his intent with a straight drive boundary, but he fell victim to a misjudged drive off Aamer Jamal, caught by Imam-ul-Haq for 14.
Both Marsh and Khawaja survived reviews during an eventful over from Aamer Jamal, adding to the tension in the match. Marsh, in particular, showcased resilience by hitting sixes to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, he had a stroke of luck when skipper Shan Masood dropped a straightforward catch at mid-off when Marsh was on 23.
Khawaja, on the other hand, persevered to reach his 25th Test half-century off 151 balls before accelerating his scoring once he achieved the milestone.
As the match unfolded with twists and turns, Australia remained in a commanding position, poised for another Test victory, while Pakistan faced an uphill battle in their pursuit of the challenging target.
