Australia had Pakistan on the ropes until an 86-run last-wicket stand took the tourists to 313, while David Warner faced a single nervy over before stumps.
4th over: Pakistan 9-2 (Masood 5, Babar 4) A swat… but a dot! Babar always comes out with a positive intent but this scenario will test him. Pakistan have shown they can match it with Australia’s bowlers but do they have the patience and the problem-solving abilities to mount an early counter-attack on Australia with their tail up. Babar runs a single while they think it over.
3rd over: Pakistan 8-2 (Masood 5, Babar 3) Masood scampers a single from Starc’s first delivery to take his total – and Pakistan’s – to five runs albeit at the cost of two top-order wickets. Now Babar will face Starc – two aggressive cricketers keen to resume hostilities. Will Babar, a 51-Test tyro play his natural game and attack? He does, reaching out for a Starc wide ball and scudding it through gully for three. With a pitch doing plenty, two uptempo batters at the crease and an Australian bowling attack on fire, this will be a lively first session.
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