{
    "id": "22407",
    "author": "13",
    "cnmid": "0",
    "title": "Melbourne Test: Pakistan fight back with Azhar's gritty ton vs Australia",
    "lang": "en",
    "series": "146",
    "cup_year": "2016",
    "article_type": "General",
    "excerpt": "Melbourne, Dec 27 (CRICKETNMORE) Pakistan rode on a magnificent unbeaten century from opener Azhar Ali (139 not out) to end the second day at 310\/6 against Australia as incessant rain continued to disrupt the proceedings of the Boxing Day second cricket Test here on Tuesday.\r\n",
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    "editor1": "<p>Melbourne, Dec 27 (CRICKETNMORE) Pakistan rode on a magnificent unbeaten century from opener Azhar Ali (139 not out) to end the second day at 310\/6 against Australia as incessant rain continued to disrupt the proceedings of the Boxing Day second cricket Test here on Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Pacer Mohammed Amir (28 not out) was at the crease with Azhar after rain forced an early close of play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Resuming the day at 142\/4, Pakistan began the second morning positively with the overnight duo of Azhar and Asad Shafiq (50) ensuring that the team did not lose early wickets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Check Full Scorecard <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-livescore\/full-scorecard\/2013\/2nd-test-australia-v-pakistan-1\">here<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>With Azhar on 96, the first rain break came along, causing a brief intermission of 15 minutes. Yet, there was no lapse of concentration as the opener completed his century in the second over after resumption.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>After reaching his 12th Test century, Azhar carried on with Shafiq, who by then had reached his half century as the duo continued to frustrate the home side with a gritty 115-run stand for the fifth wicket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Australia skipper Steve Smith&#39;s desperate attempts at getting the crucial breakthrough didn&#39;t yield any results and with the rain playing hide and seek, Smith was also hesitant to take the second new ball in the morning session.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Also Read: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/all-rounder-andre-russell-cleared-to-use-coloured-bat-in-big-bash-league--22408\">Andre Russell <\/a>cleared to use coloured bat in Big Bash League<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>With 10 minutes still left in the session, the umpire decided to force early lunch after a brief discussion with Smith, the reason for which remained unclear.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The next two hours were completely washed out as both the teams waited in vain for the persistent rain to subside completely.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>With the second session completely wasted, Australia immediately opted for the new ball and struck twice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Soon after completing his half century off 123 deliveries, Shafiq was dismissed by pacer Jackson Bird, who took his tally to three wickets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Pacer Josh Hazlewood then added to Pakistan&#39;s woes by inducing an outside edge off wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed&#39;s (10) bat to be caught by Matt Renshaw at first slip.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Struggling at 268\/6, seamer Mohammed Amir joined Azhar and the duo complimented each other well to take the team to 310\/6 until the downpour forced an early close to the day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Azhar&#39;s 287-ball knock was laced with 12 boundaries while Amir&#39;s 23-ball cameo included six hits to the fence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Brief Scores: Pakistan 310\/6 (Azhar Ali 139 not out, Asad Shafiq 50, Mohammed Amir 28 not out, Jackson Bird 3\/91, Josh Hazlewood 2\/33) vs Australia.<\/p>\r\n",
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    "seo_title": "Pakistan fight back with Azhar's gritty ton vs Australia",
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    "created": "2016-12-27 14:39:00",
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