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The 3rd and final Test between Pakistan and Australia is underway at Karachi Stadium. While Australia won the toss and Pat Cummins opted to bat first. Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi didn't take much time in providing the breakthroughs with the ball. For Australia, David Warner and Usman Khwaja opened the innings and were hoping to build a solid partnership, but Afridi blew away Aussie top-order in a span of just three balls.
Afridi, who opened the pace attack for hosts, turned on his lethal mode when he came to bowl 3rd over of the game. In the third ball of over, he trapped experienced Warner leg before the wicket. Afridi's pace beat Warner's bat and struck on the pad right in front of the middle stump. However, Warner had a short chat with Khawaja discussing the possibilities of taking DRS but could not get the desired conclusion. While Warner took a long hard walk, Australia's score read 8-1 in 2.3 overs.
Early dismissal of Warner meant Marnus Labuschagne came to the crease alongside Usman Khawaja, who was still on non-striker and was trying to cope with Warner's wicket. In the fifth ball of the over, Afridi surprised Labuschagne with an outswinger which got an edge of the bat and went straight to the keeper's glove.
Watch the dismissals here:
Labuschagne's dismissal reduced Australia to 8-2 in 2.5 overs. The batter could have left the ball but he was lured to drive the ball by Afridi. Labuschagne recorded his third duck in Test cricket and second in the series. Interestingly, Labuschagne's all three ducks have come against Pakistan.
While Pakistan players were delighted to see Shaheen Afridi at his best, Australians were pushed back by the two quick early dismissals. At the moment, Steven Smith* (41 off 101) and Usman Khawaja* (47 off 95) steadied the innings for their side, with Australia 102-2 in 34 overs.