Day 1 of the third Test has arrived, and Zero Wicketย has you covered with live commentary straight from the SCG in David Warner's final match in the baggy green.
17:25 AEDT
While it looked like Pakistan were heading to the changing rooms earlier than expected, Aamer Jamal (alongside number eleven Mir Hamza) outwitted the Australian bowlers to score a half-century.
Coming off 73 deliveries, the 50 for Jamal saw him apply pressure to the likes of Starc, Hazlewood, and Marnus Labuschagne - and even managed seven 4s and two 6s.
Aamer Jamal brings up his first Test fifty with a boundary!
Pakistan continue to fight back at the SCG ๐ https://t.co/h8aPNxNQZ0 #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/rjhFztqPwR
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 3, 2024
15:56 AEDT
Despite the departure of Khan, Agha Salman becomes the second Pakistani player to bring up a half-century on Day 1.
One of the best Pakistan players on this tour, he registers a half-century off 64 deliveries with eight boundaries and a strike rate of 80.00.
However, he soon departs for 53 runs - Starc grabs the dismissal with the catch belonging to Travis Head in the outfield.
Back-to-back Test fifties in Australia for Agha Salman ๐https://t.co/h8aPNxNQZ0 #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/Y6aCb2nFE3
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 3, 2024
15:52 AEDT
As Pakistan try to get as many runs as they can with their tail, Sajid Khan falls for 15 runs. Attacking the bowlers since he entered the crease, Khan's pull shot was caught by Nathon Lyon at forward square.
Not only does the wicket inch Australia closer to batting on Day 1, but it also brings Pat Cummins (4/47) within one wicket of a five-wicket haul.
PAKISTAN 7/224
Sajid pull shot, straight to Lyon at square leg, and Cummins has his fourth #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/ZMuFVm0XDl
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 3, 2024
15:00 AEDTย
After dominating the session after lunch, Mohammad Rizwan departs for 88 runs (10x4, 2x6) with a strike rate of 85.43.
Aiming to get his third maximum of the match and inch close towards his third Test century, he pulled at a Pat Cummins short ball.
Josh Hazlewood was roaming on the boundary and executed a perfect catch as Rizwan headed towards the pavilion.
PAKISTAN 6/197
Pat Cummins ๐ค plans to get Rizwan out#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/zOp4ncsqGb
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 3, 2024
14:15 AEDT
In a rare bright spot for Pakistan today, Mohammad Rizwan raises the bat for his half-century. A much-needed fifty for Rizwan; the Pakistan faithful will hope he can push on and hit the triple digits.
Mohammad Rizwan brings up his first Test fifty of the series with a boundary!
There's 7 fours and a six in his innings so far ๐ฅ https://t.co/h8aPNxNQZ0 #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/i3V36jEvVT
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 3, 2024
13:40 AEDT
The Pakistan captain's luck finally runs out, with Mitch Marsh finally getting his man - and his foot behind the line.
Aiming to get the scoreboard ticking over, Masood played at a nice delivery from Marsh with good length and angle. Getting a thick edge of the bat, the ball would end up in the hands of Steve Smith in the slips cordon.
PAKISTAN 5/102
This time it's definitely out!
Marsh gets the key wicket of the Pakistan captain Masood #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/U8Rpp040sV
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 3, 2024
13:23 AEDT
Shan Masood survives!
Pakistan's fortunes may have turned around. Initially given out by the umpire after edging the ball to second slip, it was revealed that Mitch Marsh overstepped, causing the delivery to be a no-ball.
Shan Masood is caught at slip but Mitch Marsh has overstepped โ the captain gets a reprieve.#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/NfMkVt6JnH
— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) January 3, 2024
LUNCH
The first session of the day was all Australia right from the second delivery of the game. The three-pronged pace attack of Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc put Pakistan in complete disarray.
Despite the disappointing start, Pakistan slowly fought back through captain Shan Masood. Now looking comfortable at the crease, the Aussies will be hoping to get Masood's wicket sooner rather than later.
Some early wickets in the next session could see David Warner and Usman Khawaja light up the SCG before the end of the day's play.
https://twitter.com/AbdullahOrkzy23/status/1742356456827961451
11:49 AEDT
The Aussies are on fire!
After being hit by a Pat Cummins delivery earlier in the session, Saud Shakeel (5) departs the crease after facing just 12 deliveries.
It's hard not to see Australia batting before the end of the day's play as pressure continues to mount on the middle order of their opponents.
Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan will be hoping to lead the charge for Pakistan as he enters the game. The 31-year-old has a Test average of 39.47, including two centuries, and a high score of 115*.
Saud Shakeel in this Test series so far: 5, 24, 9, 24, 28
90 runs in 5 inns at an average of 18 and highest score of 28 ๐ #AUSvsPAK pic.twitter.com/owB6kEzwgS— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 3, 2024
11:26 AEDT
Australian skipper Pat Cummins has claimed the big scalp of Babar Azam. Originally given not out by the umpire, the decision was overturned after a review from the Aussies.
In a massive wickets for the Aussies, Azam looked extremely comfortable at the crease and was dominating the bowlers with his drives.
Pakistan sit at 3/39 as Saud Shakeel enters the crease.
No 50+ score for Babar Azam once again. Pat Cummins removes him for the third time in this series ๐๐๐ #AUSvsPAK pic.twitter.com/6nCmkUSn2J
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 3, 2024
11:05 AEDT
After losing two quick wickets in the opening overs, Pakistan has bounced back through veteran Babar Azam (19 off 29).
Azam's elegance with the bat has seen him look confident - striking two magnificent cover drives - and even earned the cheers of the country's supporters around the ground.
Alongside Shan Masood (6 off 9), the duo look comfortable at the crease, bringing Pakistan's total to 2/25 off seven overs.
Feast your eyes on some gorgeous Babar Azam cover drives ๐ #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/ItHGKsS4J5
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2024
10:40 AEDT
Pakistan continues to crumble!
In the second over of the game, seamer Josh Hazlewood has claimed the scalp of Test debutant Saim Ayub for a duck.
A good-length ball, it caught the edge of Ayub's bat before falling into the hands of wicket-keeper Alex Carey.
For the first time in Test history, a calendar year has started with both openers falling for a duck. #AusvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 2, 2024
10:33 AEDT
In only the second delivery of the game, Mitch Starc has already delivered a breakthrough - getting the wicket of opener Abdullah Shafique.
Angled across the stumps, Shafique decided to play at the ball and knicked it into the hands of Steve Smith in the slips.
Starc in the first over!
Dream start for Australia in Sydney #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/0QvwWTW3Mp
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 2, 2024
10:00 AEDT
After winning the toss, Pakistan has decided to begin the third test with a bat, meaning David Warner will have to wait to enter the crease in his retirement match.
The two teams have also announced the 11 players that will represent them, with opening batter Saim Ayub making her debut for Pakistan.
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Aamer Jamal
Saim Ayub receives his cap from Babar Azam! Babar told him to play his natural game and just enjoy himself out there โค๏ธ #AUSvsPAK pic.twitter.com/WP9GPw6fKb
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 2, 2024