AUS vs PAK Scorecard, 3rd Test, Day 2 Highlights: Rain And Bad Light Play Spoilsport As Australia Lose Both Openers

Bad light and rain played spoilsport as only 46 overs were possible on day 2 of the ongoing third AUS vs PAK Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia were at 116 for 2 before bad light and subsequent rain interruptions disrupted and eventually brought a premature end to the day???s play.

The hosts began the day on 6 for no loss in reply to Pakistan???s first innings total of 313 runs. Retiring David Warner and Usman Khawaja could add only 25 runs to the overnight score before the former got a huge reprieve after debutant Saim Ayub dropped a regulation catch at first slip. The veteran opener was batting on 20 at that time but could not capitalize on the chance.

He could score 14 more runs before being dismissed by Agha Salman on the stroke of lunch. After lunch, his opening partner Usman Khawaja failed to capitalise on the start too, and was dismissed for 47 by Aamer Jamal. Khawaja was given out caught-behind after Pakistan reviewed the on-field umpire???s not-out decision after the Australia opener gloved a shortish delivery from Jamal to the wicketkeeper.

AUS vs PAK: Bad weather forces early end:

Khawaja???s dismissal saw Steve Smith join Marnus Labuschagne in the middle. The duo could add only 8 runs before play was suspended due to bad light with 44 overs still to be bowled. Within an hour, rain arrived too and the play on day two of the AUS vs PAK third Test was eventually called off by the umpires at around 4.30 pm local time.

At stumps, Australia were on 116 for 2 with Labuschagne unbeaten on 23 and Smith batting on 6. The hosts currently trail Pakistan???s first-innings total by 197 runs. While Pakistan???s bowlers could take only 2 wickets in 46 overs on day 2, they were very disciplined throughout the day. As a result, Australia???s run rate remained well below 3.

Earlier in the game, Pakistan recovered from a poor start to post a 300-plus total. The visitors were reeling at 96 for 5 at one stage and then 227 for 9 but eventually ended their innings on 313 runs. The architects of the recovery were Mohammad Rizwan (88), Agha Salman (53), and Aamer Jamal (82). For Australia, their captain Pat Cummins picked up 5 wickets to claim his third five-wicket haul in a row.

Australia have already won the three-match AUS vs PAK series by winning the first two games. They won the first Test by 360 runs before winning the second one by 79 runs to register their 16th consecutive win in Tests against Pakistan at home.

Brief scores: Australia 116/2 (Usman Khawaja 47, Marnus Labuschagne 23*; Aamer Jamal 1-26) trail Pakistan by 197 runs