Watch: Mohammad Rizwan dived full-length to his right to take a stunning catch inches off the ground on day two of the second Australia vs Pakistan Test in Melbourne today (December 27).
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Australia started day two of the Boxing Day Test at 187-3 but the Pakistan seam attack did not let them get away with the game. Shaheen Afridi removed Travis Head in the fifth over of the day before Aamer Jamal got rid of the dangerous looking Marnus Labuschagne nearly ten overs later to push Australia back to 250-5.
Labuschagne’s wicket brought Alex Carey to the crease. The wicketkeeper-batter wasn’t able to hang around for long, however, as he fell prey to Afridi’s planning and Rizwan’s brilliance behind the stumps.
Afridi bowled a full ball outside off stump inviting Carey to drive with covers open. Carey took the bait and got an inside edge that flew to the right of Rizwan, who was quick to react and pull out a full-length dive to catch the ball inches off the turf.
It wasn’t all rosy for Rizwan behind the stumps though. Throughout the innings, he conceded a total of 20 byes. Pakistan restricted Australia to 318 in the first innings, with every bowler picking at least one wicket. They have come out strongly in response so far, scoring 124 runs for the loss of one wicket in the first 35 overs.
Watch Mohammad Rizwan take brilliant low diving catch:
"A rip-snorter!"
Mohammad Rizwan with a pearler in his right glove! #PlayOfTheDay @Nrmainsurance #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/labVrr76Jw
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2023