Despite a challenging start on the first day of the third Test at Sydney on Wednesday (January 3),
Pakistan managed to post a total of 313 runs in their first innings.
Pat Cummins played a pivotal role in early setbacks for Pakistan, capitalizing on their struggles in the first two sessions of the opening day. However, resilient performances from wicketkeeper-batter
Mohammad Rizwan (88) and
Aamer Jamal (82) allowed the visitors to mount a comeback, in spite of Cummins achieving his consecutive third five-fer in as many innings. As for
Australia, they
closed the day at 6/0 with only one over bowled.
Mohammad Rizwan’s flourish and Pat Cummins’ dominance
Earlier, facing the formidable Australian pace trio of
Mitchell Starc,
Josh Hazlewood and
Pat Cummins, Pakistan’s top order struggled, losing both openers for ducks. Cummins wreaked havoc, dismissing
Babar Azam (26) with a fiery inswinger and quickly removing
Saud Shakeel (5).
Nevertheless, Rizwan and
Salman Ali Agha (53) showcased resilience, counter-attacking the Australian bowlers to construct a vital 94-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Rizwan, in particular, displayed fluent strokes but fell victim to Cummins, missing out on a well-deserved century. Cummins, continuing his impressive form, seemed poised for another five-wicket haul as he dismantled the lower order.
Aamer Jamal and Mir Hamza’s remarkable last-wicket stand
Yet, the unexpected resilience of the last-wicket duo, Jamal and
Mir Hamza, surpassed all expectations. Jamal’s essential boundaries and Hamza’s unwavering defensive prowess became apparent. The last -wicket partnership created frustration among the Australian bowlers, accentuated by a couple of dropped catches off Jamal. The tenacious partnership concluded when Jamal was caught in the deep off
Nathan Lyon after contributing 82 runs.
Regardless of the challenges, Pakistan’s determined effort resulted in a competitive total on the scoreboard. Australia’s openers encountered only one challenging over before play was halted for the day.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Brilliant fightback by Pakistan! Aamer Jamal and Rizwan both were simply sensational. Also a handy Knock from Salman ??
#AUSvPAK — RottenPotato (@AvadaxKedavara)
January 3, 2024
Love the fighting spirit Pakistan have shown again today .. Such a good team to watch ..
#AUSvPAK — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
January 3, 2024
Finally the last wicket falls. Lyon gets it. Horrifically bad 90 minutes for the Aussies. That’s potentially cost them the match. Need to get those runs back and can’t chew up time.
#ausvpak — Rory Burnside (@RoryBurnside)
January 3, 2024
While the pitch appears to be a belter, the scoreboard doesn't tell the whole story, especially against Australia's batting and without Shaheen leading the attack. The top order falter remains a frustrating mystery.
#AUSvPAK#PAKvAUS — z. (@sunflowerbbyx_)
January 3, 2024
Start an Aamer Jamal fan-club already. So much heart & so much spirit
#AusvPak — Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)
January 3, 2024
Rizwan's was brilliant, Salman's was superb…but I've enjoyed Aamer Jamal's maiden test half century the most. A clinic in farming the strike and frustrating the opposition. And invaluable runs at the end of the innings. A breakthrough series for this young man…
#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/wEBbblKXEE — Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz)
January 3, 2024
Excellent batting by Aamer Jamal and Mohammad Rizwan today. Sadly both missed out on deserving centuries. Over to the bowlers now!
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat)
January 3, 2024
Aamer Jamal has been find of the Australian tour. That's one hell of an innings. Alongside Rizwan and Agha, Pakistan has posted a decent total after losing top order cheaply!
pic.twitter.com/1PJuunXJHm — Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani)
January 3, 2024
One normal day of Australia bowling at the tail
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny)
January 3, 2024
Sohail Khan in 2016, Yasir Shah scored 100 during last tour and now Jamal reaching 50. Every series a Pakistani bowler bats better than frontline batter in Australia ?
— Prithvi (@Puneite_)
January 3, 2024
Day 1 definitely belongs to Pakistan. Cummins takes 6 but got his tactics completely wrong today. Interesting cricket ahead
#AUSvPAK — Ryan Adamson (@radamson15)
January 3, 2024
Some day of test cricket that.
#AUSvPAK — Paul Persic (@Paul_Persic97)
January 3, 2024
A sensational opening day of 3rd Test ends ?
#AUSvPAK #cricket Scorecard:
https://t.co/FvBN55VOWV #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/R0CWRM7iX1 — CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
January 3, 2024
A great day of cricket!
Australia survive one over before stumps
#AUSvPAK — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
January 3, 2024
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