Innings Pakistan 142 (Sarfraz 59*, Hazlewood 3-22, Bird 3-23, Starc 3-63) trail Australia 429 by 287 runs
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Sarfraz Ahmed was the only Pakistan batsman to make more than Sami Aslam’s 22 © Getty Images
An impish rearguard by Sarfraz Ahmed helped Pakistan add 75 for their last two wickets and dissuaded Australia’s captain Steven Smith from enforcing the follow-on on a hot third day in Brisbane.
Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird and Mitchell Starc took three wickets apiece to secure a 287-run advantage but will now be granted a rest as David Warner and Matt Renshaw seek to extend the lead.
Sarfraz and Mohammad Amir began with an enormous task simply to prolong Pakistan’s innings, let alone avoid the follow-on. With a combination of quick singles and the occasional boundary they were able to take their ninth-wicket stand beyond 50, while compelling Smith to call upon Nathan Lyon and Bird after trying Starc and Hazlewood.
It was Bird who eventually broke through, finding the thinnest of inside edges on Amir’s bat that was revealed by HotSpot and Realtime Snicko after the not-out decision was reviewed. Amir was visibly annoyed at the decision, perhaps because the ball also appeared to brush his elbow after touching the bat.
Sarfraz went on to 59 in the company of Rahat Ali, cutting back Australia’s lead slightly but more pointedly ensuring Smith did not risk the follow-on. Sarfarz’s wide array of shots included slog sweeping Bird, leading to one dropped catch by Nic Maddinson at deep-backward square leg, before the innings concluded when Warner ran out Rahat by the width of a shadow over the crease.
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @danbrettig
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo