On the opening day of the Pakistan-Australia Test in Perth, opener David Warner commanding performance set the stage. Australia finished the day at 346-5, steadied by Mitchell Marsh (15) and Alex Carey (14) at stumps.
Former paceman Mitchell Johnson questioned David Warner place given recent struggles and his link to the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. But in his 110th Test, Warner silenced doubts with an explosive 164 runs, smacking 16 fours and four sixes in a 211-ball innings.
Pakistan’s bowlers, initially struggling, found a rhythm after tea, claiming three crucial wickets. Aamer Jamal dismissed Warner and Travis Head (40), while Khurram Shahzad sent Steve Smith packing at 31.
The day’s sessions showcased Warner’s dominance. At tea, he stood unbeaten at 111 off 149 balls, alongside Khawaja, crafting a solid 126-run opening partnership. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Faheem Ashraf later disrupted Australia’s momentum in the second session.
Australia, opting to bat after winning the toss, put on a strong start in the morning session, reaching 117-0. Warner’s aggressive 72 off 67 balls and Khawaja’s steady 37 built a formidable foundation.
Australia made a single change from their Ashes finale lineup, welcoming Nathan Lyon back. Captain Pat Cummins praised Lyon’s return, emphasizing his significance in the bowling unit.
Pakistan faced an uphill battle, especially with a depleted bowling squad and new captain Shan Masood. The visitors, whitewashed in past Australian tours, faced a daunting challenge against the reigning champions.
Masood took over from Babar Azam, who stepped down as skipper following the team’s World Cup disappointment. With uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s performance, their unpredictability remains both a strength and a weakness.
The series holds promise for intense cricket, with Australia asserting dominance early in Perth. The next matches in Melbourne and Sydney will determine if Pakistan can rally against the odds.
