Australia still in control but visitors show character to end the day at 382/8, their highest fourth-innings total.

By Abdullah Ansari (18th December, 2016)

Toss: Australia won the toss, Steve Smith opted to bat first.

Teams

Australia: MT Renshaw, DA Warner, UT Khawaja, SPD Smith (c), PSP Handscomb, NJ Maddinson, MS Wade (wk), MA Starc, JR Hazlewood, NM Lyon, JM Bird.

Pakistan: Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali.

The day began with Azhar struggling to find runs in the face of some tight bowling, but Younis was enterprising despite his struggles against the pacers as he began to tick the strike over on a regular basis. There was a moment of concern as Hazlewood bowled a bouncer to Azhar which smashed him on the helmet and neck region - he recovered after some refreshments were taken. Bird induced an edge from Younis but it fell short as Azhar finally reached his fifty off 146 deliveries - yet another fighting knock by the batsman. Australia tried the left-arm spin of Maddinson for a couple of overs without success before the groundsmen decided to cover the square due to some ominous clouds with Tea taken early, Pakistan 131/2.

The break turned out to be an extended one with rain pouring down regularly - however, the excellent drainage system ensured that play began soon after, with just over one and a half hour's delay. Azhar was more positive after the interval as he drove Starc and Hazlewood for a couple of fours but a few short balls from the former got him in a tangle, as he ended up nicking one down the leg-side after a solid knock of 71 from 179 balls. There was soon another delay due to rain but it was a shortened one, with Younis reaching his fifty after the resumption. Younis tried to continue being positive but Misbah struggled at the other end. Australia took a review for LBW against the Pakistan captain but there was a big inside-edge. Bird finally had him out caught behind, as Misbah chased one outside off and got a thin edge through to the keeper. Younis was the next to fall for 67 as he tried to reverse sweep Lyon but the bounce resulted in him getting a top edge which was easily pouched by Smith. Shafiq managed to get a few runs after his earlier struggles while Sarfraz looked to play his shots as Australia took the 2nd new ball - Pakistan went ot the dinner break at 203/5.

The first over after the interval saw Sarfraz nick one from Hazlewood, only for Smith to grass one in the slips. The drop didn't prove too costly as Starc returned to clean up Sarfraz's stumps with a full delivery, out for 24. He bowled a couple of excellent deliveries to follow up to Amir. He continued bowling a fiery spell, exchanging some words with Amir but the batsmen soon got going. Shafiq top-edged a hook for six against Hazlewood while Amir hit a few flowing drives through the off-side. Shafiq got to his fifty, a crucial knock to indicate that he is back in form after a torrid run recently. Amir continued on his merry way until he eventually fell to the tight bowling of Bird as he nicked one behind for 48. Wahab looked very tentative at the start against Starc's pace but he grew into the game as well as the Pakistani tail continued to wag. Shafiq continued batting aggressively and it almost cost him as he drove one off Starc but Smith again grassed the catch. Thereafter, the batsmen feasted on the tired bowlers as Wahab took Lyon for a couple of sixes as the Australians took the extra half hour at the end of the day. Shafiq kept ticking over and brought up his hundred in the last over of the day but there was time for another twist as Wahab nicked one with Smith finally taking a catch, out for 30. Pakistan finished the day at 382/8, their highest fourth-innings total and the highest at the Gabba - they need a further unlikely 108 to win.

Summary: A day where Pakistan have fought back and shown that can compete with Australia. Azhar was gritty as usual while Younis stuck it out despite his struggles. But at 175/5, one would've though it was all over but the lower-order showed great fight to keep Pakistan in the match - a win for Pakistan is still the most unlikely outcome, with a draw a close second and Australia are heavy favourites. But this day will give Pakistan a much-needed confidence boost heading into the 2nd Test, not to mention the heavy workload of the Australian bowlers which may play a part later on in the series.

Fall of wickets:

3-145 (Azhar Ali, 59.6 ov)
4-165 (Misbah-ul-Haq, 69.5 ov)
5-173 (Younis Khan, 74.3 ov)
6-220 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 87.3 ov)
7-312 (Mohammad Amir, 106.4 ov)
8-378 (Wahab Riaz, 122.3 ov)

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