Mon Nov 18 08:50:51 UTC 2024: ## Pakistan Stumbles to 72/4 at Halfway Mark Against Australia

**Melbourne, Australia –** Pakistan’s chase of a challenging target got off to a rocky start in their match against Australia, reaching only 72/4 at the halfway point. The Pakistani innings was punctuated by both impressive strokeplay from Babar Azam and a series of wickets that hampered their progress.

Babar Azam, as expected, provided the backbone of the Pakistan batting, showcasing his class with several well-timed boundaries and singles. However, he was unable to fully capitalize on his starts due to wickets falling around him.

The Australian bowlers, particularly Aaron Hardie and Adam Zampa, were instrumental in keeping the Pakistani score in check. Hardie snagged two crucial wickets, including that of Salman Agha, who was trapped LBW. Zampa’s spin proved equally effective, dismissing Haseebullah Khan with a well-disguised wrong’un. Nathan Ellis also contributed, taking a stunning catch to remove Usman Khan.

While Irfan Khan provided support to Babar Azam in the middle order, Pakistan’s top order crumbled under pressure. The early loss of Haseebullah Khan and Usman Khan disrupted their momentum, and the subsequent dismissal of Salman Agha further hampered their recovery.

Despite Babar Azam’s impressive individual performance, Pakistan face an uphill battle in the second half of their innings to reach the required target. The match remains closely contested, with Australia holding a significant advantage.

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