Perth, Dec 14 (FN Agency) David Warner’s 164 propelled Australia to 346/5 at the end of Day 1 of the first Test against Pakistan at the Optus Stadium here on Thursday. Warner started scrappily, but gained confidence as his innings rode on, and came up with some gorgeous shots to bring up a 26th Test century. This came in at a time when his position in the team was in question, but the Aussie opener answered his critics with his usual aggressive manner.Pakistan’s inexperienced bowling lineup didn’t exactly disgrace themselves, they toiled hard and didn’t get the help from their fielders. Usman Khawaja was put down once, Warner was let-off twice and they did beat the bat numerous times. Just before tea, Warner reached his century and thereafter ensured Pakistan did not come back, despite their improved bowling in the post-lunch session.
He stitched 126-run stand with his opening partner Usman Khawaja who made a vital 41 runs, before he was caught behind by Sarfaraz Ahmed off Shaheen Shah Afridi. After a brief pause, Faheem Ashraf trapped Marnus Labuschagne leg before for 16 that forced Warner to dig in. Despite the run rate dipping, he got to his century in 125 balls, with a slice over the boundary ropes.Steve Smith gave Warner good support at the other end as the No.4 punished unruly bowling by Pakistanis. But, he succumbed to Khurram Shehzad as he forced him to give a catch to Sarfaraz behind the stumps for 31.
This was Khurram’s maiden Test wicket. Travis Head walked in, and shouldered the responsibility of scoring at a brisk pace, and sewed a 66-run stand with Warner, before losing his wicket after scoring 40 to Pakistan’s short-pitch ploy. Warner also picked the short-pitch gauntlet, and hooked a six but finally was holed out, trying to pull debutant Jamal.For Pakistan, Khurram, Faheem and Shaheen bagged one wicket, while Jamal successfully trapped two batsmen with tactical field placings.Brief Scores: Australia 346/5 (David Warner 164, Usman Khawaja 41, Travis Head 40; Aamer Jamal 2-63) vs Pakistan.