Azhar, Younis lead Pakistan fightback after Aussies declare at 538

SYDNEY: Azhar Ali and Younis Khan kept Pakistan afloat after rookie Peter Handscomb made it three centurions in Australia’s big first innings declaration at the third Sydney Test on Wednesday.

The tourists, who have already lost the series after defeats in Brisbane and Melbourne, made a rocky start after Steve Smith called a halt at 538 for eight leaving seven overs for Pakistan to negotiate before tea. The in-form Azhar and 114-Test veteran Younis steadied the ship with a century stand and took the tourists to stumps at 126 for two.

Azhar, who scored an unbeaten 205 in last week’s Melbourne Test, was on 58 with 39-year-old Younis providing support on 64 to trail Australia by 412 runs.

Azhar was eight runs short of Mohsin Khan’s 1984 record for the most runs (390) for Pakistan in a series in Australia having tallied 382 at the close, while Younis raised his 1,000 Test runs against Australia.

Handscomb completed his second century in just four Tests to join David Warner (113) and Matthew Renshaw (184) in another huge Australia innings against the beleaguered tourists.

Renshaw’s epic knock ended inside the first halfhour on Wednesday when he played paceman Imran Khan on to his stumps.

Debutant Hilton Cartwright hit the highest score by an Australian number six this season with 37 before he was bowled by Imran.