Watch: During Australia’s second innings of the first Test match against Pakistan, Steve Smith was trapped lbw by the narrowest possible margin.

Australia amassed 487 and bowled out Pakistan for 271 the first Test match of the 2023/24 Benaud-Qadir Trophy. In the first innings, Steve Smith made 31 before edging debutant Khurram Shahzad to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

Australia batted again despite the 216-run lead. Having walked out at 5-2, Smith was unbeaten at stumps on the third day, but found himself facing Shahzad in the fourth over of the fourth morning.

Bowling from over the wicket, Shahzad hit Smith on the front pad, went up in appeal, and got the decision in his favour. Smith reviewed after a brief discussion with Usman Khawaja.

Replays revealed that the ball had pitched and hit in line – two ‘reds’ – before barely clipping the bail. In fact, in the visual generated by HawkEye, the bottom of the ball grazed the top of the bail.

“Lucky they’re fat bails,” quipped the commentator as an unhappy Smith walked back for 45, falling to the debutant for the second time in the match. Shahzad finished with 3-45 to go with his first-innings haul of 2-83.

Australia eventually declared on 233-5, setting Pakistan a target of 450. Pakistan folded for 89.

Watch Steve Smith get out lbw by the narrowest possible margin:

By a kitten's whisker! 🤏

Khurram Shahzad gets Steve Smith for the second time! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/G9IsCteIir

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2023

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