Wicketkeeper Alex Carey hoped cracks on the pitch would help baits take 20 lattices after Australia piled up 505-8 on the alternate day of the alternate Test against Pakistan in Karachi on Sunday.
The left-hander came Pakistan commander Babar Azam’s only alternate Test gate as he missed the part- timekeeper’s straight delivery and was sailed for 93 with just two overs left ahead near.
When wholes were drawn, Mitchell Starc was fur on 28 with traveling commander Pat Cummins yet to get off the mark after Usman Khawaja hit a memorable 160 in the country of his birth.
“ There are some cracks opening,” said Carey. “ I still suppose there is openings for us to pick 20 lattices going into hereafter and day four and five.” On missing a hundred, Carey admitted the occasion was lost.
“ I’m always dissatisfied when I get out. It was so close. Unfortunately, it’s the way it goes.”
When the sly Pakistan incentive Sajid Khan produced a sharp turning delivery that beat Khawaja’s protective drive on the aft bottom to crop the top of the off refuse, Pakistan had allowed they would wrap up the Australian innings soon.
But Carey and Starc frustrated the home platoon during their eighth- gate stage of 98 as the National Stadium pitch offered slow turn and low brio.
Carey maundered for 187 twinkles, hitting seven boundaries and two sixes in his loftiest Test score, perfecting upon his former stylish of 51 against England at Adelaide in December last time.
Sajid’s spin mate Nauman Ali sailed Cameron Green for 28 in the last over before tea but Pakistan’s plans to club moment were spoiled by Carey and Starc.
Pakistan took the third new ball after 163 overs with Australia’s aggregate at 453-7 but none of the pace bowlers could get the advance.
Ashraf (2-55) and Sajid (2-151) were the main gate takers in Pakistan’s 180 overs of hard work.
This is the first time Australia have maundered 180 overs in Asia since their179.3 overs, scoring 577 against India in the Delhi Test of 2008.
Sajid had given Pakistan a double break in thepost-lunch session with the lattices of a stubborn Khawaja and Travis Head for eight.
Until also, Khawaja had defied Pakistan’s attack for nine hours and 12 twinkles in an anchoring part since Australia won the toss and decided to club on Saturday.
The left-hander from Queensland smashed 15 boundaries and a six in his third 150-plus masterly knock.
Sajid had before dismissed Head, leg-before gate off a sharp delivery, while nightwatchman Nathan Lyon was sailed by Ashraf in the first session for 38.
It was a dull morning session as Australia added 81 after continuing on 251-3 as the pitch held its flat nature.
Khawaja added 54 for the fourth gate with Lyon to frustrate the Pakistan bowlers who were looking for early lattices to halt Australia’s progress.
Ashraf could have dismissed Lyon on 31 but failed to hold on to a return catch to his leftism.
Lyon capitalised on the reprieve with a sweetly-timed boundary but Ashraf had the last laugh three overs latterly, with a delivery that rattled into the wholes after brushing the Australian’s pads.
Lyon, dropped on aught by Imam-ul-Haq off pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi on Saturday, hit five boundaries during his stubborn knock of 38.
Khawaja was unflustered and pushed Hasan Ali for a single to complete his 150.
Australia’s first Test in Pakistan since 1998 ended in a draw in Rawalpindi where the pitch was rated as below average by the ICC.
Australia will play three Tests, three one- day internationals and a single Twenty20 transnational on the stint.
