The hosts Australia had a decent outing with the bat on Day 1 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at an iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26, Tuesday.
The hosts put a total of 187/3 on the board before close of play despite interruption of rain during the third session. Australia will resume Day 2 with Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head batting on 44 and 9, respectively.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and put the Australia into batting. Australian opening pair of David Warner (38) and Usman Khawaja (42) gave the hosts a good start to their innings and built 90-run partnership for the first wicket until Agha Salman dismissed the former on the stroke of lunch.
Khawaja, who looked in good rhythm, was dismissed Hasan Ali at 108/2 shortly after the lunch.
Labuschagne and Smith kept Australia's batting sailing
After wicket of Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith took charge of Australia's batting and kept the boat sailing throughout the second session and before the end of final session of the day.
The pair formed a 36-run partnership for the third wicket. Labuschagne and Smith frustrated Pakistani bowlers with their defensive style of batting.
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith were looking to form a good partnership until Pakistan pacer dismissed latter for 26 at 154/3. Earlier, Smith was ruled out for 19 off Shaheen Afridi's bowling but the Australian successfully managed to reverse umpire's original decision through DRS.
Even Labuschagne managed to survive a close LBW decision.
David Warner survives early scare
Australian opener David Warner got an early reprieve after his easy catch was dropped by Pakistan's Abdullah Shafique at slip cordon while batting on 2.
Shaheen Afridi delivered swinging ball which edged the bat of the Australian opener. The ball raced to slip cordon where Shafique was placed. However, he made a meal out of it what would've been easy catch. Shafique Abdullah couldn't get the hold of the ball for a second.
Shaheen Afridi didn't react much but couldn't believe that Shafique Abdullah dropped an easy sitter what would've been an early breakthrough for Pakistan on Day 1 in MCG.
Pakistan bowlers had a decent outing
Pakistan bowlers managed to grab three wickets before the close of play on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at MCG.
Agha Salman provided a first breakthrough for Pakistan by dismissing David Warner. Then, Hasan Ali sent Usman Khawaja back to pavilion shortly after the lunch break.
Frustrated Aamer Jamal picked the wicket of Steve Smith after the Australian opener managed to reverse LBW decision by umpire.
Meanwhile, Pakistan pace spearhead didn't have a good outing as he went wicketless while conceding 63 runs in 20 overs.
Pakistan bowlers will look to pose a challenge to Australia as hosts eye for huge first innings total on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test.
