Australia enforces follow-on despite Shah's century, Pak trail by 287

Pakistan’s stubborn attempt to save the day-night second Test against Australia was denied by Mitchell Starc’s six-wicket haul after he dismissed Babar Azam for 97, however keeping the visitor’s hopes alive Yasir Shah recorded his maiden Test century at Adelaide Oval on Sunday (December 1).

The visitors resumed on an overcast day teetering at 96 for six in reply to Australia’s first innings 589 for three declared, built on the back of David Warner’s monumental 335 not out.

They were finally out for 302 on day three of the pink-ball Test, 287 runs adrift, with a dogged Yasir the last man to go for 113.

Australia immediately enforced the follow on, leaving Pakistan to face a difficult evening session.

Better known as a spin bowler than a batsman, Yasir had never gone better than 42 in his previous 36 Tests, making his effort against one of the world’s most fearsome pace attacks even more remarkable.

In a scintillating spell under lights on Sunday night, left-armed Starc snapped up four quick wickets but the gloomy conditions offered little movement on Sunday and Azam and Yasir took advantage.

Also read: Warner scores triple ton, Smith shatters 7,000 Test record as Pakistan suffer

They put on a disciplined 105-run stand with Azam looking destined for a third Test century until Starc pounced again, with the 25-year-old edging an attempted drive to Tim Paine behind the stumps on 97.

Azam — who scored a century in the first Test at Brisbane and is rapidly emerging as his country’s top batsmen — left the field dejected but to a standing ovation.

The very next ball Starc grabbed his sixth, with Shaheen Afridi plumb lbw before Abbas fended off the hat-trick ball.

Starc currently has 6-50 off 21 overs, his 12th five-wicket Test haul. It was also a commendable effort from Yasir, who made the most of two-second lives.

Mohammad Abbas joined Yasir at the crease and made a gutsy 29 before he was undone by a Pat Cummins bouncer, caught at gully by Warner.

At the other end, Yasir showed composure to compile his first-ever ton, bringing up the milestone off 192 balls, clattering 12 fours and kissing the turf in celebration.

He had a near-miss off the bowling of Marnus Labuschagne on 33. Steve Smith believed he caught him at slip and made a big appeal, but replays showed the ball fell just short of his fingertips.

Yasir was then dropped by Labuschagne off his own bowling on 43. He was finally out hooking a Cummins delivery to Nathan Lyon.