Pakistan’s Azhar Ali and Younus Khan yesterday forged a 120-run partnership to stall a rampant Australia on day two of the third and final Test after a Peter Handscomb century had helped drive the hosts to 538-8 declared.
Opener Azhar, who hit a double-century in the second Test defeat in Melbourne that lost Pakistan the series, had contributed 58 to his side’s 126-2 at close of play, while veteran Younus had forged ahead of his partner with 64 not out.
Handscomb had earlier completed the third century of Australia’s innings, matching openers David Warner and Matt Renshaw, as Steve Smith’s men poured on the runs before the declaration, which came seven overs before tea.
Paceman Josh Hazlewood drove home the advantage by removing Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam cheaply inside five balls to leave the hapless tourists reeling at 16-2 at the second break.
Half-centuries from Azhar and Younus might have raised Pakistan’s flagging spirits, but Australia will still be confident of victory and a series sweep going into day three at the Sydney Cricket Ground with a lead of 412 runs.
Handscomb had resumed on 40 with Australia on 365-3 and never looked like missing out on his second Test hundred, becoming only the second Australian to score 50 or more in his first four Tests along the way.
Brought into the side with Renshaw in the wake of the Hobart humiliation at the hands of South Africa in November last year, the 25-year-old has proven a rock in what had become a fragile Australia middle order.
He brought up the milestone with a single off the 194th ball he faced and had nine fours on the board when he was out, hit wicket off Wahab Riaz, for 110.
Renshaw had already fallen short of his double-century, chopping on for 184 in the first hour of the day, while debutant Hilton Cartwright (37), Matt Wade (29) and Mitch Starc, who hit two huge sixes in his 16, also departed before the declaration.
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