#AUS_V_PAK

[tsportsday]

Australia’s bowlers shared the wickets around on Saturday with Nathan Lyon having to wait a bit longer for his 500th after Pakistan folded for 271 in first innings as the home team took a 300-run lead on day three of the first test.Off-spinner Lyon sits on 499 test wickets after claiming 3-66 while Imam-ul-Haq top-scored with 62 for the visiting team, who was bowled out in 101.5 overs.Opting not to enforce the follow-on, Australia ended the day on 84-2 from 33 overs having posted 487 in its first innings.Resuming on 132-2, Pakistan almost lost Khurram Shahzad to a run-out on the first ball of the day but skipper Pat Cummins (2-35) ensured no further damage was done, clean-bowling the nightwatchman (7) two deliveries later.Imam, who uncharacteristically danced past a Lyon delivery to get stumped by Alex Carey, had consolidated with Pakistan’s premier batter Babar Azam (21) but a collapse before lunch saw the tourist lose three quick wickets for 14 runs.Also read | Biggest wins in women’s Tests: India breaks record with 347-run win against EnglandSome resistance from Agha Salman (28 not out) propped up Pakistan but when Aamer Jamal (10) gave Lyon his second stumping for wicket 499 the modest crowd of 15,956 came alive, anxious to witness the impending milestone moment.However, part-time spinner Travis Head ended the Pakistan innings when he drew tail-ender Shaheen Afridi into a slog-sweep which found Usman Khawaja at mid-on.To start the post-tea session, Australia lost first innings centurion David Warner for a duck and Marnus Labuschagne for two as Shahzad’s double-strike threatened to inject some spice into the contest.Pacers Shahzad and Afridi showed a better understanding of the Perth Stadium conditions in their second effort, aided by a slight deterioration of the surface, bowling with aggression to restrict the hosts to seven runs in the first 10 overs.Khawaja and Steve Smith slowly steadied the ship, but not without a late scare when Smith hooked Afridi just over the head of deep fine leg for six, to see their side through to the close with an unbeaten 34 and 43 respectively.

[tsportsday]

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja vowed Wednesday to fight a ban on him wearing shoes ahead of the opening Test against Pakistan highlighting the plight of people in Gaza, saying it was a “humanitarian appeal” and not a political message.During training this week, the 36-year-old opening batter had hand-written slogans “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” on his footwear.Khawaja wanted to wear the shoes on Thursday in Perth against Pakistan, his birth country. But governing body the International Cricket Council bans any messages during matches that relate to politics, religion or race.“Is freedom not for everyone? Are all lives not equal?” Khawaja subsequently said in an emotional video message on social media.“To me personally it doesn’t matter what race, religion or culture you are. I’m just speaking up for those who don’t have a voice.“The ICC have told me that I can’t wear my shoes on field because they believe it’s a political statement under their guidelines.“I don’t believe it is so -- it’s a humanitarian appeal,” he added.“I will respect their view and decision but I will fight it and seek to gain approval.”All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human right. I'm raising my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian appeal. If you see it any other way. That's on you... pic.twitter.com/8eaPnBfUEb— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023Cricket Australia said that it supported the players’ right to express their opinions.“But the ICC has rules in place which prohibit the display of personal messages, which we expect the players to uphold,” it said in a statement.Four days ago, Khawaja shared a video on Instagram from the children’s charity UNICEF from Gaza.In the post he commented: “Do people not care about innocent humans being killed?“Or is it the colour of their skin that makes them less important? Or the religion they practise?”Also read | Australia’s Khawaja won’t wear shoes with Gaza messages, says CumminsIn his message on Wednesday Khawaja noted the fierce reaction his stance had caused in some quarters.“But let’s be honest about it, if me saying all lives are equal has resulted in people being offended to the point where they’re calling me up and telling me off, well isn’t that the bigger problem?” he said.“These people obviously don’t believe in what I have written. You will be shocked about how many feel this way,” he added. In 2014, the ICC banned England all-rounder Moeen Ali from wearing wristbands saying, “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” during a home Test.Australian Sports Minister Anika Wells said she believed Khawaja’s shoes did not break the rules.“I think he has done it in a peaceful and respectful way,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted her as saying.