The final session on Day 2 of the third Test between Australia and Pakistan was washed out in Sydney on Thursday, January 4. Due to continuous rain and poor visibility, the entire third session was washed out. Before the interruption, Pakistan had managed to take the crucial wickets of Australian openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja, leaving Australia at 116/2 at the tea break.
Marnus Labuschagne (23 off 66) and Steve Smith (6 off 7) were intact on the crease when play was stopped due to bad light, despite the stadium lights being on, about 45 minutes before the scheduled tea time. As storms approached and with Australia still 197 runs behind, the umpires opted to call for an early tea.
Warner, on his way out for 34, left the Sydney Cricket Ground amid a standing ovation from the home crowd, visibly upset for missing the opportunity to score a century in what was his 112th and final Test match. He was outwitted by Agha Salman's off-spin, which generated unexpected bounce and turn. Warner edged the ball off the shoulder of his bat, leading to a catch taken by a Babar Azam at slip.
Warner, who may still bat in the second innings of his final Test, has accumulated 8,729 runs in Test cricket since his debut in 2011, averaging 44.53 with 26 centuries to his name.
The 37-year-old opener had a narrow escape earlier when he was dropped at 20 by the young debutant Saim Ayub at first slip during Aamer Jamal's initial over. This incident added to Pakistan's series of missed opportunities in the field throughout the series, marked by several dropped catches. Ayub was visibly distressed after missing an easy catch, a disappointment that followed his two-ball duck in the first innings of his debut Test match on Wednesday.
Khawaja, who boasts an impressive average of 130 in Tests at the SCG, was dismissed for 47. His wicket, a gloved catch down the leg-side off Jamal, was confirmed by Hot Spot during the review.
The Pakistan-born opener had shown patience, facing 143 deliveries, but his dismissal was a moment of celebration for the visitors as it was his only lapse that offered them a chance to claim his wicket
Notably, Warner and Khawaja stitched together partnership of 70 runs before Agha Salman broke through the pair. Following this, Khawaja formed a promising partnership with Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne, on the other hand, ensured he remained at the crease until the end of the day's play, staying unbeaten on 23 from 66 deliveries, including one four. Accompanying Labuschagne was Steve Smith, who scored 6 runs, featuring one boundary. Pakistan's bowlers, including Sajid Khan, Mir Hamza, and Hasan Ali, put in a strenuous effort over 31 overs but failed to make any breakthroughs. The day saw a total of 46 overs bowled before play was halted due to poor light.
Earlier, Australia secured the three-match series with a hard-fought 79-run victory in the second Test in Melbourne which came after 360-run win in the first outing.
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