Steve Smith, during his 59-run knock against Pakistan in the first innings of the third Test, surpassed the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakarra, Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid to register most number of runs after 150 Tests.
Australia are facing Pakistan in the series-decided in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The three-match series, a part of Australia’s first tour of Pakistan in 24 year, is locked at 0-0.
Smith has been in some form during the three matches. While the Aussie has not been able to register a single century, he has scored three fifties. The 32-year-old played knocks of 78 and 72 in the first two Tests before scoring 59 in the first innings of the third one. He faced 169 balls and hit six fours before he was undone by Naseem’s delivery, which came back sharply and hit the batter’s knee in front of the stumps.
During his stay at the crease, Smith reached a Test tally of 7,993 runs, which is more than what Kumar Sangakkara (7,913), Sachin Tendulkar (7,869), Virender Sehwag (7,694) and Rahul Dravid (7,680) scored in 150 games in the format.
Smith came on the crease after David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne were dismissed early on Day 1. Batting first, Australia were reduced to 17/2.
Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja (91 off 219 balls) then added 138 runs for the third wicket. After their dismissals, Pakistan picked some quick wickets. However, Alex Carey (69) and Cameron Green’s (79) 135-run stand took the visitors to 391 runs in the first innings.
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Skipper Pat Cummins led Australia in Pakistan’s first innings. He dismissed opener Imam-ul-Haq (11) early. However, Abdullah Shafique (450 and Azhar Ali (30) showed determination and the hosts were 91/1 at stumps on Day 2.
