AUS vs PAK Scorecard, 3rd Test, Day 3 Highlights: Josh Hazlewood Rips Apart Pakistan Batting As Visitors Stand On The Verge Of Humiliating Whitewash

Australia have firmly placed themselves in the driver’s seat in the ongoing AUS vs PAK third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, appearing destined to whitewash Pakistan for the sixth consecutive time in the home Test series.

In a day marked by fluctuating fortunes, Australia successfully concluded the day on a strong note, asserting its control over the proceedings in Sydney. A total of 11 wickets tumbled in the dramatic final session of day three as Pakistan suffered an inexplicable collapse and are now on the verge of losing their 17th Test in a row on Australian soil.

AUS vs PAK: Pakistan’s slender first innings lead:

After rain brought a premature end to the second day’s play, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne began the proceedings with the bat on day three. Australia was on 116 for 2 at the start of the day’s play. Smith and Labuschagne began cautiously and did not let Pakistan make early inroads. The duo added 71 runs to the overnight score before Smith was dismissed by Mir Hamza for 38.

Even before the home side could add any run after Smith’s dismissal, they lost the wicket of Labuschagne too for 60. Travis Head also failed to get going and departed for 10 as Australia saw themselves getting reduced to 205 for 5 from 187 for 2. It was followed by an 84-run stand between Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey and Australia once again looked destined to take the first-innings lead.

However, Pakistan had other plans. Sajid Khan castled Carey on stroke of tea to end the partnership. Australia then suffered an inexplicable collapse after the break, losing their last four wickets for just six runs to be all out for 299. Their collapse made Pakistan the first team since 2020 to take a first-innings lead over Australia on their soil.

Pakistan faces a sudden collapse

With the momentum on their side, Pakistan had the opportunity to finish the day on a high. However, the visitors began the second innings of the third AUS vs PAK Test disastrously. Just like the first innings, Pakistan lost two batsmen – opener Abdullah Shafique and captain Shan Masood – in less than two overs to find themselves reeling at 1 for 2.

Both Shafique and Masood failed to open their accounts. Debutant Saim Ayub, who was out for a duck in the first innings, played some brilliant shots to lift his team’s spirits but failed to make his start count. He added 57 runs for the third wicket with Babar Azam before his dismissal triggered an inexplicable collapse.

Nathan Lyon dismissed Ayub for 33 before Travis Head sent back Babar Azam to leave Pakistan 4 down for 60 from 58 for 2. Josh Hazlewood then ended the day by taking three wickets in an over to leave Pakistan reeling at 68 for 7. The right-arm pacer dismissed  Saud Shakeel, Sajid Khan, and Agha Salman for ducks to put his team on top.

Brief score: Pakistan 313 and 68/7 (Saim Ayub 33; Josh Hazlewood 4 – 9) lead Australia 299/10 (Marnus Labuschagne 60, Mitchell Marsh 54; Aamer Jamal 6-69 ) by 82 runs.