Melbourne – Pakistan were 142-4 against Australia when rain forced the administration to end the first day’s play of the second Test at the MCG on Monday.

Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali drives a delivery from Australias Josh Hazlewood on the first day of the second cricket Test match in Melbourne. Photo google images
Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali drives a delivery from Australias Josh Hazlewood on the first day of the second cricket Test match in Melbourne. Photo google images

The visitors had lost Sami Aslam (9), Babar Azam (23), Younis Khan (21) and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (11).

Jackson Bird took 2 wickets whereas Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon took one wicket each.

At the crease, Azhar Ali was unbeaten on 66 and looked in control of his game while Asad Shafiq was not out on 4.

Earlier, Pakistani captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat in the second Test.The Green shirts made one change, with right-arm pacer Sohail Khan replacing left-armer Rahat Ali . Australia fielded the same squad as in the first Test at Gabba.

Misbah was reluctant to name his team’s final composition despite Steve Smith having earlier confirmed his side would be unchanged. Left-arm opening bowler Mohammad Amir had recovered well from knee and thigh injuries in Brisbane and was retained in the squad for 2nd Test.

The visitors lost the day-night first Test at the Gabba by 39 runs, having made an extremely bold bid at a come-from-behind victory.

Pakistan squad: Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, , Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan.

Australia squad : Steven Smith(c), David Warner, Jackson Bird, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Matt Renshaw, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade.

Australia's Jackson Bird (centre) celebrates with teammates Nic Maddinson and Nathan Lyon ) after dismissing Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq on the first day of the 2nd test match at MCG. Photo- open source
Australia’s Jackson Bird (centre) celebrates with teammates Nic Maddinson and Nathan Lyon ) after dismissing Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq on the first day of the 2nd test match at MCG. Photo- open source