Pakistan enjoyed much the better of the first day of the First Test against Australia in Rawalpindi.
Winning the toss, they had batted first and gone on to make 245/1 on Day 1. Imam ul-Haq, who had completed his maiden test century, was unbeaten on 132, and Azhar Ali on 64.
Australian players were in sombre mood before the start of play on Saturday morning, reflecting in the double deaths of two of their former greats, Rod Marsh and Shane Warne. They walked on to the pitch donning two armbands, while fans in the stands held up signs in commemoration of the duo.
Clearly shocked, they did their best to concentrate on matters in hand, but they were unable to make any early inroads into the Pakistan innings, as Imam and Azhar continued on their way.
Imam passed 150 and Azhar his hundred before their 208-run partnership was finally broken when Australian captain Pat Cummins had Imam leg before for 157. He had struck two sixes and 16 fours.
Any hopes that might bring a respite for the visitors were soon ended as captain Babar Azam came out to join Azhar, and he was soon into his stride, as the scoreboard continued to tick over.
It was almost a surprise when the third wicket fell. Babar went for a quick single, only to be run out by Marnus Labuschagne for 36.
And it was Labuschagne with his occasional leg breaks that ended Azhar’s innings, for 185, caught by Cam Green at backward point. He had faced 361 balls and struck three sixes and 15 fours.
Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed added 34 more, when the decision was made to declare the innings on 476/4, with the aim of getting the tired Australians to lose early wickets before close of play. Rizwan was 29 not out at the end, and Iftikhar was unbeaten on 13.
However, Usman Khawaja and David Warner safely navigated the first over, as Australia closed the second day on five without loss, still trailing by 471 runs, with all ten first innings wickets remaining.
Pakistan 476/4 decl. (Azhar Ali 185, Imam-ul-Haq 157; Marnus Labuschagne 1-53) lead Australia 5/0 (Usman Khawaja 5*) by 471 runs.