PAK vs AUS, 1st Test, Day 1 Highlights: Imam-ul-Haq smashed an unbeaten century to help Pakistan post 245 for one in 90 overs against Australia on Day 1 of the ongoing first Test match in Rawalpindi on Friday. Imam registered 132 off 271 balls and also slammed 15 fours and two sixes. Azhar Ali also remained unbeaten and added 64 runs to the scoreboard. Nathan Lyon took the only wicket for Australia, dismissing opener Abdullah Shafique. Australia are in Pakistan for the first time in 24 hours and both teams will be facing each other in three test matches and four white-ball games. (SCORECARD)
Here are the Highlights from Day 1 of the first Test between Pakistan and Australia from the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
PAK vs AUS, 1st Test, Day 1 Live Score
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Finally!!! We're ready. Usman Khawaja on strike...
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The roller is slowly leaving the field now. Australia won't mind the delay. The two umpires get together and they have a worried look on their faces. Perhaps, they are advising Babar Azam to use spinners as the light is not conducive to face fast bowling. Babar consults his deputy, Rizwan, and they have agreed. Shaheen goes off his bowling mark and it's going to be Sajid Khan to start proceedings. More time wasting as the close-in fielders are wearing their protective gears.
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The men concerned are back on the field. David Warner and Usman Khawaja are the Aussie openers. Their main aim will be to see off the day's play carefully. That said, they can't get over-defensive against the Pakistan bowlers. Shaheen Afridi is getting ready to bowl the first over. There is a buzz around the stadium. The heavy roller is still doing its job, so there is a small delay. Warner is seen having a word with Shaheen.
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... SECOND INNINGS ...
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Right then, the crowd is getting excited about the prospect of watching the Pakistan bowlers bowl this evening, that too under lights. They are warming up. Around 56 minutes left in the day's play but considering the fading light, we will be lucky if the play lasts the distance. Anyway, stay tuned as the Australian openers will be out soon with their reply.
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Here comes the declaration! Babar Azam whistles and calls his boys back. Pakistan have declared their first innings on 476/4! A strong batting show by the home team after winning the toss. The first three wickets were involved in valuable stands and that propelled them to a sizable total. Imam-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali were the chief architects and the others around them also chipped in with useful runs. Nothing much to write home about Australia's bowling. They toiled hard on a docile surface but without much success. One thing they did do well was to keep the scoring rate under check.
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161.60Marnus Labuschagne to Iftikhar Ahmed
Full and floated around off, Iftikhar Ahmed lunges and eases it to point.
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161.50Marnus Labuschagne to Iftikhar Ahmed
Turning away from the batter, short in length, Ahmed cuts but finds point.
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161.42Marnus Labuschagne to Iftikhar Ahmed
Shortish and on middle, forced down in the gap at mid-wicket for two.
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161.34Marnus Labuschagne to Iftikhar Ahmed
FOUR! A freebie and it has been put away! A low full toss around leg, Iftikhar Ahmed uses his wrists and whips it in the gap at mid-wicket for a boundary.
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161.20Marnus Labuschagne to Iftikhar Ahmed
Short and around off, punched to point.
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161.12Marnus Labuschagne to Iftikhar Ahmed
Floated and full, around middle, spinning away, Iftikhar Ahmed tries to flick but gets a leading edge through covers for a couple. The umpire asks Iftikhar Ahmed to stay away from the danger area while running.
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160.61Mitchell Starc to Iftikhar Ahmed
Spears it very full and on middle, Ahmed tries to drive straight but it takes the inner edge and rolls in front of square leg. They cross for a run as Starc chases and slides to collect the ball.
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160.50Mitchell Starc to Iftikhar Ahmed
Serves it on a length around middle and off, Iftikhar Ahmed defends it back from the crease.
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160.40Mitchell Starc to Iftikhar Ahmed
Fuller and around off, pushed back to the bowler. Rizwan has a word with his partner.
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160.31Mitchell Starc to Mohammad Rizwan
Pitches it up and wide outside off, Rizwan reaches out and drives. The cover fielder misfields and concedes a single.
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160.21Mitchell Starc to Iftikhar Ahmed
Short and wide outside off, Ahmed steers it down to deep point for one.
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160.11Mitchell Starc to Mohammad Rizwan
On a good length, angling away from around off, Rizwan decides to leave but is late in withdrawing his bat. It takes the toe end and runs down to third man for a run.
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Drinks break. 70 runs in the first segment of play after Tea and there is definitely more intent shown by the Pakistan batters. They lost both Babar Azam and Azhar Ali in the process but have a perfect pair in the middle to do quick scoring. 20 overs left in the day's play, light permitting. It's been overcast for quite some time and we are playing under lights. That might also play a role in Pakistan's declaration as the light is not supposed to improve much. Mitchell Starc to bowl after the break...
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159.60Marnus Labuschagne to Iftikhar Ahmed
Beaten! Excellent drift on this delivery. It lands close to off, spins away a shade as Iftikhar Ahmed prods forward in defense and misses.