Rain interrupted play on Thursday’s second day of Pakistan vs Australia in the Sydney Test Match. The persistent rain and fading light wiped out the final session, leaving both teams hanging.
Earlier, Pakistan made headway by grabbing the crucial wickets of David Warner and Usman Khawaja, restricting Australia to 116-2 by tea.
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Marnus Labuschagne stood at 23, Steve Smith at six, when the dimming light halted play, despite the ground lights being on, roughly 45 minutes before the planned tea break. The umpires called for an early tea break with storms looming and Australia trailing by 197 runs.
Warner, at 34, departed, visibly disappointed, missing out on a century opportunity in his 112th and last Test match, bidding farewell to the Sydney Cricket Ground with a standing ovation from his home fans.
Agha Salman’s off-spin deceived Warner with extra bounce and turn from the rough, causing him to edge a catch off the shoulder of his bat to slip, where Babar Azam made no mistake.
The 37-year-old opener, who still has a second innings ahead in his final Test, has amassed 8,729 Test runs since his 2011 debut, averaging 44.53 with 26 centuries. His luck held when debutant Saim Ayub dropped him at 20 at first slip off Aamer Jamal’s delivery, continuing Pakistan’s fielding woes in this series.
Khawaja, a standout performer at the SCG with an average of 130, fell for 47 to a reviewed gloved catch down the leg-side off Jamal after a patient 143-ball innings. The tourists celebrated, as Khawaja, seemingly comfortable, finally presented an opportunity.
Australia claimed victory in the three-match series with a tense 79-run win in the second Test in Melbourne over the Christmas period.
