CRICKET:OPENER IMRAN Farhat's 67 in 95 balls put Pakistan on course for a comfortable win over Australia on the third day of the second Test at Headingley yesterday. Pakistan, chasing 180 for victory, reached 140 for three in 37 overs to edge nearer to their first Test victory over the Australians in 15 years.
A Pakistan win would deny Australia an eighth straight Test win.
Left-arm fast bowler Doug Bollinger claimed the late wickets of Farhat, who was bowled, and Umar Amin for a duck. Both wickets fell caught behind with the score on 137 to give Australia a glimmer of hope. Azhar Ali was 47 not out and Umar Akmal was on two as Pakistan opted not to request an extra half-hour play and left the field in sunshine.
Resuming at 136 for two yesterday, Steven Smith scored 77 off just 100 balls between lunch and tea, with nine fours and two sixes, to boost Australia’s hopes after Michael Clarke made 77 and Ricky Ponting 66. Pakistan began their run chase nervously. Farhat was dropped by Shane Watson at first slip. Australia did break through soon after when Pakistan lost their skipper Salman Butt for 13, caught at second slip off Ben Hilfenhaus.
Watson allowed 10 runs off his fourth over, including two leg-glanced boundaries by Farhat to ill-directed balls outside leg stump.
Farhat raised his half-century with a square cut off a short and wide Johnson delivery for one of his nine boundaries.
