In a captivating third Test in Sydney on Friday, Josh Hazlewood captured three wickets in a thrilling over to put Australia in a position to potentially win against Pakistan.
On a deteriorating Sydney Cricket Ground surface, Paceman Hazlewood tore through to reduce the visitors from 67 for four to conclude the third day at 68 for seven, a lead of 82.
The remaining realistic chances of Pakistan are dependent on their bowling star, Aamer Jamal, who is still unscored, and six-not-out Mohammad Rizwan. Australia will need to chase this total in the fourth innings on Thursday.
After Australia had rattled Pakistan’s top order with two wickets for one run in the first eight deliveries of the second innings, Hazlewood turned the tables, taking 4-9 from five overs.
After Australia was dismissed for 299, the visitors seemed to be in control as they took a 14-run lead in the first innings thanks to a brilliant 6-69 from Jamal.
Following tea, Jamal had an outstanding four-wicket stint. To start, he had Mitchell Marsh caught at mid-off by Shan Masood for 54.
He had Pat Cummins out for a duck after two balls. subsequently caused Nathan Lyon (5) and Hazlewood (0) to be dismissed.
However, the chagrined Aussies stormed back, dismissing captain Shan Masood on the first ball and Abdullah Shafique for his second century of the Test.
Before being bowled out by Lyon for 33, young debutant Saim Ayub displayed composure and skill as he put up 57 runs with Babar Azam after being out without scoring in the first innings. It was Lyon’s 507th wicket in a Test match.
when 14 deliveries, Azam was out for 23 when Travis Head gave him a nick to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Subsequently, Hazlewood produced his thrilling fifth over, which was the second-to-last of the day.
After scoring 90, 63 not out, and 96 in the previous two Tests, Marsh maintained his excellent form in the opening innings for Australia.
Following the earlier in the day losses of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Head, Marsh and Alex Carey (38) put up 84 to save the innings.
Following scores of 40, 14, 17, and 0 in the first two Tests of the series, Head was leg before wicket to Jamal for 10, losing a review in the process.
In the course of six deliveries, Pakistan claimed the highly sought-after wickets of Smith and Labuschagne, who both had Test averages of over 70 at the SCG.
At 38, Smith was caught off medium-pacer Hasan’s bowling by a well-laid Pakistani trap consisting of three fielders around short extra cover.
Labuschagne was bowled for 60 from 147 balls by off-spinner Salman shortly after him.
It was a well-earned reward for the hard-working Pakistanis, who had already lost the three-match series but had persevered with disciplined bowling and resolute fielding.