Usman Khawaja scores a century as it helps to dominate Pakistan

The first Test century of Usman Khawaja in his home country of Pakistan boosted Australia’s lead over Pakistan to 251-3 in the second Test in Karachi. After achieving hundreds in both innings against England in his homecoming match, Usman Khawaja missed a century by three runs in the first Test at Rawalpindi. His undefeated 127 included 13 boundaries and a six with seven balls remaining in the day. At the opposite end, Steve Smith scored 72 before being dismissed by a Hasan Ali fast delivery.

Smith was encouraged to play the ball, which allowed it to fall into the path of Faheem Ashraf, who leaped to his left for a superb catch.

Imam-ul-Haq pulled down nightwatchman Nathan Lyon at short leg off Shaheen Shah Afridi on the last ball of the day, and Pakistan might have added another wicket to their total.

When Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat on a dry surface, his decision looked dubious for a brief period at the conclusion of the first session when the visitors lost two early wickets.

Faheem Ashraf, who was returned after missing the first Test due to injury, got the ball to sneak away and draw an edge from David Warner (36) right into the palms of keeper Mohammad Rizwan.

After facing nine balls, Marnus Labuschagne was out for duck. However, Australia seemed to be in complete control from then until the second-to-last over of the day, with Khawaja spearheading the attack.

To achieve the milestone, he pushed spinner Sajid Khan for a quick single towards square leg, pounding the air in celebration of his tenth Test tonne, eliciting acclaim from a crowd of 10,000 at the National Stadium.

He initially put on a good 82-run partnership with Warner, who looked threatening and welcomed Sajid with two sixes as he came into the attack.

Khawaja and Smith then rebuilt the innings, with Smith scoring seven boundaries in his 35th Test half-century.

Only 36 runs were scored in the hour after tea in 17 overs as the duo frustrated Pakistan’s assault, forcing spinners Nauman Ali and Sajid to turn to a negative leg-side line to limit the runs.