Only 46 overs were bowled on Day 2 of the third Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Bad light halted the play for some time before rain took over as early stumps were called. Meanwhile, David Warner and Usman Khawaja gave the perfect start to the hosts. Playing the final Test of his career, Warner hit 34 runs while his opening partner took some time and made 47 runs off 143 deliveries.

Notably, Agha Salman got the better of Warner in the match. Saim Ayub dropped a regulation catch when the southpaw was batting on 20 runs but he failed to capitalise. An awkward bounce got the better of the cricketer as Babar Azam picked up a simple catch in the first slip.

Aamer Jamal picked up the wicket of Khawaja. The 37-year-old nicked one to Mohammad Rizwan but on-field Michael Gough gave him not-out. The stumper-batter immediately called to review it and it was clear that the southpaw edged it and was asked to walk back to the pavilion.

Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were batting in the middle when the play was halted. Both these cricketers will have to be at their finest on Day 3 to help Australia fight back in the contest. Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey too will be crucial as Australia would aim for a white-wash.

Pakistan are missing one quality pacer in the ranks. Shaheen Shah Afridi wasn’t effective in the first two Test matches, which shows that they are not necessarily missing him but a proper quick bowler who could trouble the Aussie batters. The focus now will be to have a good start with the ball on Day 3, in order to put them under pressure. Aamer Jamal will be Shan Masood’s go-to man to get the job done.