Australia close in on Pakistan win after Labuschagne's maiden Test century
![Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 800 450"></svg>)
Marnus Labuschagne scored his maiden Test century as Australia closed in on victory over Pakistan after a dominant day three in Brisbane.
Labuschagne capitalised on his start by making 185 as Australia piled on 580 – a first-innings lead of 340 – at the Gabba on Saturday.
And the hosts closed in on a 1-0 series lead late in the day, taking three wickets before stumps to reduce Pakistan to 64-3.
That left Pakistan trailing by 276 runs and facing a heavy defeat with Shan Masood (27) and Babar Azam (20) unbeaten at stumps.
#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/EOtMOLT2Sf
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 23, 2019
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Also see – Ranji points table
It was not the end to Saturday the tourists would have been hoping for after a long day in the field.
Mitchell Starc (2-25) trapped Azhar Ali (5) in front before removing Haris Sohail, who was caught behind by Tim Paine for eight.
Super Starc gets an early one!#AUSvPAK | @SpecsaversAU pic.twitter.com/CgN61jrsRr
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 23, 2019
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Pat Cummins (1-16) was the next to strike, getting one to seam away slightly as Asad Shafiq (0) edged to Steve Smith at third slip.
Earlier, Australia resumed at 312-1 and while David Warner (154) only added three to his overnight score, Labuschagne dominated.
The 25-year-old crushed 20 fours in his century, combining for a 110-run partnership with Matthew Wade (60).
Warner was the first scalp for 16-year-old debutant Naseem Shah, who had the left-hander caught behind and finished with figures of 1-68.
Smith (4) missed out as Yasir Shah (4-205) was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers.
Published 23 Nov 2019, 13:12 IST
