| Pakistan facing whitewash threat from Aussies |
Updated at: 1301 PST, Sunday, January 17, 2010 HOBART: Pakistan struggling at 103 for four when rain halted the play on fourth day of the third Test here at Bellerive Oval on Sunday.However, it seems that rain cannot save them from another defeat and Australia are likely to complete their fourth successive whitewash against Pakistan in the three-Test series. Australia set Pakistan a tough target of 438 runs for victory after captain Ricky Ponting declared their second innings at 219-5 after lunch. Pakistan began their second innings with an uphill task but lost both openers for only 29 runs. First, first innings centurion Salman Butt was bowled by Doug Bollinger for eight and later his partner Imran Farhat went for 14, caught behind by Brad Haddin off Peter Siddle for 14. However, Khurram Manzoor and captain Mohammad Yousuf took the score to 61 before Yousuf was adjudged lbw off Shane Watson for 23. Pakistan were reeling at 67 for three at tea with Khurram (17) and Umar Akmal (2) at the crease. Earlier, Simon Katich succeeded in completing his ninth test century but in the next over, he was caught by Shoaib Malik at deep mid-wicket off legspinner Danish Kaneria. However, Ponting missed his second century for the match as Australia lost three wickets for only 19 runs in a 15-minute period after lunch as they sent out pinch-hitters Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson in an unsuccessful attempt to quickly increase their total. Ponting failed failed to become the seventh batsman in Test history to score a double-century and a century in the same match when he departed for 89 on the fourth ball after lunch. He tried to sweep Shoaib Malik and was taken down the legside by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed and the umpire's not-out decision was overturned on review when replay showed the ball brushed Ponting’s glove. Then Haddin was run out for eight and Mitchell Johnson was caught at cover by Imran Farhat off Malik for a duck as declaration came with Michael Hussey unbeaten on 13. Pakistan still need 335 runs to avoid defeat with six wickets in hand when the play will be resumed on the fifth and final day. Khurram Manzoor and Shoaib Malik are batting on 23 and 15, respectively as there is only one regular batsman in debutant Sarfraz Ahmed being left in the dressing room. |
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