The cricketing fraternity was left shocked on the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and Australia at the National Stadium in Karachi as the home team resorted to some baffling tactics.

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Usman Khawaja hit an emotional hundred to power Australia to 251 for 3 on the opening day of the match. The Australian opener scored 127 not out in his birth country.

Islamabad-born Khawaja completed his third century in four matches since being recalled to the Test side in January after a 29-month hiatus.

The left-handed batter, who previously missed hundred by three runs in the Rawalpindi Test, forged a 159-run partnership with Steve Smith.

Though they piled on runs, Khawaja and Smith were frustrated by Pakistan’s negative tactic. The tactic also left commentators fuming.

Pakistan wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan set up down the leg-side with Khawaja on strike, with spinner Sajid Khan delivering the ball way outside the Aussie batter’s pads from around the wicket.

It was a questionable tactic that appeared to have aimed at slowing down the Aussies’ run rate, which was way up at 4.5 at one stage.

‘Ridiculous’

“It’s like they’re trying to bore these batsmen out. It’s like they are trying to get them out that way,” Aussie commentator Michael Kasprowicz said.

Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis said, “The tactics I’m seeing at the moment, it’s like we are looking for a draw on the first day. It’s ridiculous.”

The Australian broadcaster Channel Nine’s Matthew Thompson wrote, “This is just utter crap. Foot outside leg / keeper standing outside leg stump needs to be outlawed. It’s doing nothing but hurt the game”.

Sports reporter James Mottershead commented: “Cricket shouldn’t return to Pakistan if they keep serving this s*** up”.

Usman Khawaja’s smashes emotional century

Smith fell in the final over of the day for 72, while the visitors lost David Warner (36) and Marnus Labuschagne, run out for a duck, in the first session.

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Smith, just before stumps, edged a Hasan Ali (1-31) delivery to the second slip where Faheem Ashraf took a screamer diving to his left.

Earlier Australia got off to a strong start as Khawaja and Warner put on 82 runs, an Australian record opening stand in Tests in Karachi.

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Speaking after the play, Khawaja said his Test ton in front of some of his Karachi family was something special.

“My family is actually from Karachi, this is where the Khawajas are from,” he said.