Shaheen Afridi and Mir Hamza bagged 4 wickets each; Alex Carey scored his sixth Test half-century.
Australia sets challenging target of 317 for Pakistan in Melbourne Test. On the fourth day of the Melbourne Test, Australia posed a challenging target of 317 runs for Pakistan after being bowled out for 262 before lunch. Despite facing early setbacks at 16 for four, a resilient 153-run partnership between Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith anchored the hosts, who resumed the day at 187-6.
Alex Carey contributed significantly with a half-century, scoring 52 runs before being dismissed leg-before by seamer Mir Hamza (4-32), bringing an end to Australia’s innings. Pakistan, having scored 264 in their first innings, faces a tough task in chasing down the target, especially against the formidable form of Pat Cummins and the Australian pace attack.
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The tourists had previously been dismissed for 89 in the fourth innings, leading to Australia’s victory in the first test of the three-match series in Perth two weeks ago. As Pakistan prepares for the challenging chase, the highest successful fourth-innings run chase at the Melbourne Cricket Ground remains England’s 332 back in 1928-29.
In a fighting rescue mission, Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith made 153 crucial run partnership to help Australia build a 241-run lead and get back control of the second Test against Pakistan on Thursday.
After dismissing Pakistan for 264 in response to Australia’s first innings 318, the hosts had a shaky second innings start as they were reeling at 16-4 in Melbourne.
But Marsh (96) and Smith put their heads down to compile what could be a match-saving partnership.
At stumps on day three, the hosts were 187-6 with Smith out for 50, off 176 balls, in the last over of the day, leaving Alex Carey unbeaten on 16.
