‘Mortified’: Screamer hurts in late Smith shocker; Khawaja soars as ‘ridiculous’ tactics torched

Steve Smith’s quest to end his century drought has been denied after an “out of this world” catch in the penultimate over, as Usman Khawaja made his way off following a stunning century.

The Australian vice-captain fell in the penultimate over, as he was spectacularly caught at second slip by Faheem Ashraf off Hasan Ali.

Smith, who has not struck a century in more than a year, was forced to go for a patent 214-ball 72.

His departure late on day one ended his 159-run partnership with Khawaja, who reached three figures — his third century of the year — shortly after tea in Karachi.

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It was Khawaja’s 11th century, but few will be as memorable after reaching the milestone in the city his family is from.

“This is my home,” Khawaja said following the century.

“This is where the Khawajas are from. Everyone of my family is born in Karachi except me.

“It’s nice to get a hundred. It would have been nice to get a hundred both there (Rawalpindi) and here, but I’ll take this one.”

Khawaja finished 127 not out, as Australia went to stumps 3-251 with Nathan Lyon (0 not out) sent out to protect the middle-order.

The late wicket of Smith gave Pakistan something to celebrate, after being criticised for their negative tactics on day one.

Khawaja gets 100! | 00:56

But their tactics have been slammed since the tea break.

That became obvious when Pakistan’s bowlers were deemed to be bowling wides for negative tactics.

During the third session, spinner Nauman Ali appealed for a lbw after hitting the pads of Smith.

Except, the ball struck Smith well outside the leg stump, thereby being automatically not out.

“Can we take that as entertainment?” Fox Cricket’s commentators asked.

Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis was not happy, slamming captain Babar Azam’s tactics.

“That’s the only entertainment we’re going to get right now because the tactics I’m seeing at the moment is like we’re looking for a draw on the first day,” Younis said.

“It’s ridiculous.” 

Respected South African voiced Mike Haysman agreed: “I wonder if the umpires are thinking of getting involved here because there is the situation that they can get involved if they think it’s too negative?”

Former Australian bowler Michael Kasprowicz said Pakistan’s tactics had brought the run-rate down, but they were not getting closer to making a breakthrough.

“If the plan was to bring down the scoring rate they’ve achieved that and had success, it’s less than three right now,” Kasprowicz said.

“It has created a bit of a change there, but it seems like they’re waiting the Australians to get themselves out.”

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Khawaja, who scored 97 in the first Test at Rawalpindi, continued where he left off during the first Test draw.

The Pakistan-born left-hander scored at close to a run-a-ball during the first hour of play, before runs dried up as tea neared on Saturday.

But his resistance alongside Smith has Australia on top for the first time in the series.

Smith came to the crease at 2-91 after Australia gave Pakistan an “opening” at lunch neared.

After David Warner fell to a brilliant piece of bowling for 36, Marnus Labuschagne ran himself out for a duck.

The world’s No.1 Test batsman pushed to mid off but was ran out by Sajid Khan, who hit the stumps and left Labuschagne just short.

Earlier, the tourists were flying after Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat.

While Warner survived a couple of close lbw shouts off Hasan Ali, Khawaja looked in sublime touch from the outset and eventually his opening partner too found his touch.

The pair hit Khan for 14, including two sixes in one over in an ominous warning.

“My concern for Pakistan is the rate they’re (Australia) scoring at,” former Pakistan captain and world class quick Younis said early in the first session.

“The run-rate of 4.5 is a really good one.

“He struggled a bit in the first few overs Warner and then he’s just feeling that he belongs here, using his feet nicely - and that should be a little bit of a worry for Pakistan.”

“But Faheem Ashraf then pulled a rabbit out of a hat by getting one to shape away and kiss Warner’s outside edge to leave Australia 1-81.

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Mitchell Swepson is the first leg-spinner to be capped by the Australian Test side in 13 years as Cummins’ men seek an answer to Pakistan’s unshakeable batting in the first meeting of the series.

He is the only change to Australia’s XI, while Pakistan have recalled quick Hassan Ali and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.

It’s an interesting selection from Pakistan, who have recalled another quick while Australia left Hazlewood out.

“I get a sniff, a whiff, that they think reserve is going to play a big part,” former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds said on Fox Cricket.

Pakistan racked up over 700 runs over two innings for the loss of just four wickets, with Josh Hazlewood the Australian pace bowler to lose his spot in the XI to Swepson as spin looms as the decisive factor in Karachi. Queensland teammate Khawaja presented Swepson his baggy green on Saturday.

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Cummins pumped for Swepson debut | 01:44

After a relatively dull, batting-dominated first Test in Rawalpindi, there were some concerns that the pitch in Karachi would provide a similarly unbalanced contest between bat and ball.

But recent history suggests the match should provide plenty for both sides of the wicket.

When Pakistan hosted South Africa a little more than a year ago - the last Test held at the venue - even the seamers got some joy from the wicket.

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