Pakistan made a stunning comeback on the third day of the third Test against Australia in Sydney, capturing the crucial wickets of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in quick succession.
The breakthroughs shifted the momentum away from the hosts as they headed to lunch at 199-4, chasing Pakistan by 114 runs.
Smith and Labuschagne, known for their exceptional performance at the Sydney Cricket Ground, seemed well-set during the extended morning session. However, Pakistan executed a brilliant trap, strategically placing fielders around short extra cover. Smith, attempting an aerial drive off Hasan Ali’s delivery, was caught by Babar Azam, departing with 38 runs off 86 balls.
Moments later, Labuschagne fell victim to offspinner Agha Salman’s delivery, bowled for 60 runs. The ball sharply turned out of the rough, penetrating the bat-pad gap to knock over his middle stump.
This quick double-wicket breakthrough halted Australia’s progress, leaving the team reeling after they appeared poised to chip away at Pakistan’s first-innings total of 313. The morning session saw a grinding display of cricket, with only 83 runs scored off 33 overs at a run rate of 2.49 per over.
Pakistan’s disciplined bowling and determined fielding efforts finally paid off, rewarding their toil on the field despite already losing the three-match series to Australia, who secured victory in the previous Test in Melbourne.
