Marnus Labuschagne perishes to a dream off-spinner’s delivery

Marnus Labuschagne top-scored with 60 while Mitchell Marsh contributed 54 as Australia were bowled out for 299 just after Tea on Day 3 of the third Test against Pakistan, whose endeavour of building upon their slim 14-run lead into a chunky one met roadblocks. Mitchell Starc gave Australia the perfect start with the ball, handing Abdullah Shafique a pair with a lethal inswinger that whizzed through the bat-pad gap to make mincemeat of his stumps. A ball later, Pakistan skipper Shan Masood paid the price of attempting yet another loose stroke outside off as he edged behind to the keeper.

Young Saim Ayub and Babar Azam steadied the ship with a fifty partnership. Nathan Lyon took a while to find his bearings but he broke the alliance by having Ayub trapped lbw and then part-timer Travis Head prized out Babar, who failed to convert another start. Pakistan would have hoped for no further impediments but Pat Cummins made a superb bowling change. He introduced Josh Hazlewood into the attack and the tall pacer bowled an unbelievable over which read – W 0 W 0 W 0! Pakistan are effectively 82/7 and once again the onus is on Aamer Jamal and Mohammad Rizwan to bail the visitors out of trouble.