Pakistan paid the price for dropped catches and a missed stumping and run-out opportunity on the first day as Australia continued to build their innings, driven by David Warner’s 26th Test century.
The first missed chance occurred in the 16th over when Aamir Jamal delivered the first ball. Usman Khawaja, at 21, attempted a pull shot, resulting in a top edge that went over the slip cordon. Abdullah Shafique, positioned in the slips, moved backward to take the catch but failed to track the ball’s path, allowing it to slip through the gap between his outstretched hands and body. Unfortunately, this dropped catch led to the ball bouncing away for a boundary, compounding the fielding lapse.
David Warner, in excellent form, reached his 26th century without giving any chances to the opposition. However, he received a reprieve on 104 when Khurram Shahzad couldn’t hold onto a catch above his head at mid-on.
Another opportunity for Pakistan to dismiss Warner came when he reached 141. Agha Salman delivered a ball just outside off, featuring turn, grip, and bounce. Despite no edge, Sarfaraz Ahmed failed to cleanly gather the ball, and Warner found himself out of his crease. Babar Azam, positioned at slip, attempted a run-out, but the throw was off target, letting Warner off the hook once again.
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