Australian opener David Warner let his bat do the talking on Day 1 of the Perth Test against Pakistan. After Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat first, Warner tormented Pakistan bowlers and scored 164 runs to help the hosts post 346/5 on the board on Day 1.
In the first session, Australian openers dominated the proceedings. The first chance was created in the 16th over by debutant Aamer Jamal. The top edge off Usman Khawaja's bat landed in Abdullah Shafique's palms but he dropped the catch and it went to the boundary. Meanwhile, Warner completed his half-century off just 41 balls. Warner took the T20 approach against Shaheen Afridi and smashed him for a massive six. At the end of the first session, Australia were 117 for no loss.
After the lunch break, Khawaja got the breakthrough. He was caught behind after scoring 41 runs from 98 deliveries. After the 126-run opening partnership, Marnus Labuschagne failed to capitalise and was dismissed lbw by Faheem Ashraf. In the 43rd over, Warner reached his 26th Test ton with a boundary. He took 125 deliveries to breach the three figures.
Agha Salman who was bowling an economical spell created a chance in the 48th over but Khurram Shahzad dropped a straightforward catch. Warner was batting for 108 then. After the second session, Australia had 210/2 on the board from 50 overs.
After the tea break, Shahzad made Steve Smith his maiden Test wicket. Smith edged one to wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed. He scored 31 runs from 60 balls. Warner reached 150 in the 70th over of the innings. Travis Head was scoring at a brisk pace but he missed out on a half-century. He went for the upper cut against Jamal and got caught. He scored 40 runs from 53 balls including six fours.
After taking his maiden Test wicket, Jamal got the prized wicket of Warner. He went for a big shot but was caught in the deep backward square leg by Imam-ul-Haq. The opener scored 164 runs from 211 balls including 16 fours and four sixes.
With his 26th Test century, Warner surpassed former skipper Michael Clarke to become Australia's fifth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket. Warner continued his dominance against Pakistan in home Tests. This was his fifth century on the trot against Pakistan in home conditions.
After taking the second new ball, Pakistan pacers could not get wickets late in the day. Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey remained unbeaten for 15 and 14 respectively as the home side had 346/5 on the board.
“It was a near-perfect day of Test cricket for us, the way the openers batted set the tone for us. He (Warner) batted really well, put the pressure back on the bowlers. It was a tough wicket but he did well to score a hundred. I think when he goes back to his aggressive self he plays his best. It takes a lot of bravery to go out there and play like that. We will see how it goes, 350 is good but getting another 100-150 runs would be lovely. The wicket looks like a pretty good wicket. First innings runs we will try and get as many as we can,” Cummins said after the end of day’s play.
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