Mitchell Marsh got an angry gestured send-off from young Pakistani pacer Khurram Shahzad in Australia’s first innings of the ongoing Perth Test at the Optus Stadium.
24-year-old Khurram Shahzad, on debut, had taken Steve Smith’s wicket as his maiden Test wicket. On Day 2, he delivered a brilliant ball to knock the stumps of Mitchell Marsh, denying the lanky Australian a Test match century at his home ground in front of his home fans in Perth.
The Perth fans sat excitedly after Lunch to see their local lad Mitchell Marsh get to what would have been his 4th Test century. However, some lapse in concentration and judgement, and perhaps eagerness to reach a three-figure score, cost Marsh a ton as he was bowled by Khurram Shahzad on the first ball after Lunch.
It was a full inswinging delivery from Shahzad that kept coming in. Marsh went on his front foot to play an extravagant drive down the ground, leaving a big gap between his pad and bat through which the ball sneaked in and hit the middle stump.
Khurram Shahzad bristled with energy and gave a fiery send-off to Mitchell Marsh, gesturing toward the dressing room.
Video: Khurram Shahzad gives a fiery send-off to Mitchell Marsh after bowling him for 90 runs
Oh nooooo 😫#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/Rz7kFrxuR5
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 15, 2023
Meanwhile, Pakistan had a rare good day of Test cricket in Australia. Pakistani bowlers bowled Australia out for 487 after Lunch. Then the two Pakistani openers, Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq, stonewalled almost everything from the Australian pacers. They played and missed plenty of balls, but had some luck on their side and remained determined.
The openers put a partnership of 74 runs in 218 balls before Shafique got out. Captain Shan Masood then cracked 30 runs in 43 balls before being dismissed by Starc very late in the day, while Imam played steadily.
Pakistan ended Day 2 with 132/2, trailing by 355 runs with Imam not out on 38 runs in 136 balls. Khurram Shahzad came in as a nightwatchman instead of Babar Azam at number 4 and survived till the end of the day.
