In another slow-moving session, Pakistan consolidated their control of proceedings with Imam-ul-Haq (154) and Azhar Ali (95) scoring just one match against Australia in the opening Test in Rawalpindi. The total reached 302 for the loss of wickets. ,

When the morning session of Day 2 begins, the mighty pace duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood would have hoped to break the dangerous stand between Azhar and Imam. Unfortunately for the visitors, both did not get that elusive success in their respective opening spells of the day. Both the fast bowlers kept it tight and conceded only 18 runs in the first nine overs, but Imam and Azhar were able to deal with the initial threat. In the 95th over, Cummins took a wicket to awkwardly climb Iman and force him to glove towards backward point. Fortunately for the opener, the ball fell in front of the fielder.

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Pakistan scored only 57 runs in 25 overs at a run rate of more than two during the opening session

Pakistan scored only 57 runs in 25 overs at a run rate of more than two during the opening session. But on a positive note, Pakistan had one of those wicketless sessions. On the other hand, in good conditions for batting, Australia have largely struggled to find ways to make their mark.

Azhar played the occasional attacking shot, which included a steer through the slip cordon and a glimpse of fine leg off Cameron Green. He hits a reverse sweep off Nathan Lyon in the hands of the third man. Ultimately, Imam hit his first boundary off Lyon in the 110th over. In the same over, he once again played a flick stroke and completed the 150-run milestone.

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Before the start of the day’s play, both the teams also observed a minute’s silence in honor of the untimely demise of spin legend Shane Warne.

Brief scores: Pakistan 302/1 (Imam-ul-Haq 154, Azhar Ali 95; Nathan Lyon 1-106) vs Australia.