Aussies in total control against Pakistan in D/N Test

Australia remained on course for victory in the day-night first Test against Pakistan at the Gabba here on Saturday

Usman Khawaja celebrates his 50 against Pakistan in Brisbane on Saturday. Pic/AFP

Brisbane: Australia remained on course for victory in the day-night first Test against Pakistan at the Gabba here on Saturday.

Resuming Day Three on 97 for eight, in response to the hosts’ 429, the tourists added another 45 runs for the loss of their final two
wickets.

Sarfraz Ahmed led the way with 59 not out, while Mohammad Amir stuck around for 71 minutes for
his 21.

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird finished with three wickets apiece for Australia.

Australia captain Steve Smith - a first-innings centurion - opted not to enforce the follow-on, instead sending his team out to get more quick runs on the board in a bid to put the game out of reach.

Usman Khawaja top-scored with 74, Smith himself contributed 63 and Peter Handscomb - hot on the heels of his maiden Test hundred — was unbeaten on 35 when the declaration came on 202 for five, giving Smith’s side a 489-run lead.

Chasing 490, Pakistan faced a tricky 33 overs under the lights, and Australia duly made inroads into their top order with the wickets of Sami Aslam (15) and Babar Azam (14) as the tourists ended day three on 70 for two and with much work to do.

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