Rain plays spoilsport after Khawaja, Labuschagne steady Australia on Day 2

Listen to Story Australia were trailing by 197 runs in their first innings when rain interrupted play on Day 2 of their third and final against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The focus was on David Warner when play started as the hosts trailed by 307 runs with all their 10 wickets intact.

The southpaw was on 20 when he got a reprieve. Aamer Jamal produced a peach and Warner got an outside edge, but of a simple catch at first slip despite getting both hands on the ball. Warner went on to score 34 runs off 68 balls with four fours before falling to Salman. In the pre lunch session, Agha Salman got rid of the big fish, caught by former skipper Babar Azam in the slip cordon.

Our parade has been rained on and that’s stumps on day two in Sydney. Day three tickets: — Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) Warner and Usman Khawaja put on 70 runs for the opening wicket before Salman separated the duo. Thereafter, Khawaja joined hands with Marnus Labuschagne and started to build another handy partnership.

But Aamer Jamal, who has been in scintillating form, found Khawaja’s outside edge. Khawaja scored 47 patient runs off 143 balls with four fours. Labuschagne made sure of playing until the end of the day’s play and stayed not out on 23 off 66 balls with one four. Along with Labuschagne is Steve Smith, who hit one four in his knock of 6 runs.

For Pakistan, Sajid Khan, Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali toiled hard for 31 overs, but without any rewards. 46 overs were bowled on Day 2 before bad light stopped play. At 4:52 local time, play was called off after rain also arrived. Australia have scored 116 for two in 47 overs and have plenty of work to do going into the third day..