Melbourne [Australia], Dec.27 : Azhar Ali smashed his 12th Test century besides stitching an unbeaten partnership with Asad Shafiq to help Pakistan reach 310 for six before rain-curtailed the second day's play of the second match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here on Tuesday.
Due to wet conditions no play was possible between lunch and tea. Incessant drizzle had permitted only six hours of play over five sessions on Day Two. Resuming at yesterday's score of 142-4, Azhar smashed 12 boundaries in his 139-run knock and shared a huge 115-run stand with Shafiq (50) for the fifth wicket to help the side cross 300-run mark in their first innings.
With the century, Azhar also became the fifth Pakistani batsman to score more than 1000 Test runs in a year after Mohsin Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan (twice).
At the end of the day's play, Azhar and Mohammad Amir (28) remained unbeaten on the field. Jackson Bird, who ended the opening day with two wickets, added one more in his account while Josh Hazlewood also chipped in with a wicket on the second day.
Australia are currently leading 1-0 in the series following their nail-biting 39-run win over the Misbah-ul-Haq-led side in the opening Test at the Gabba.
Source: ANI
