Pakistan crumbles after Ponting's double century

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Ricky Ponting’s fifth Test double-century and Michael Clarke highest Test score makes it harder to come back for Pakistan in the Test after some ridiculous running between the wickets from Salman Butt who ran out his 2 partners and now they are behind by 425 runs with 6 wickets in hand.

Pakistan again gets a good opening start of 63 runs but like whole series failing to make it big. Imran Farhat and Salman Butt put 63 run opening stand. Farhat (38) drove away from his body and got out caught behind on the bowling of Siddle and after 4 balls khuram Manzoor tried to cut the ball but only managed to edge it to 2nd slip where Ponting was waiting for it.

Whenever Yousuf arrives at the crease you always expect a run out and this was the case today but not only with Mohammad Yousuf even 19 year old Umar Akmal also ran himself out mainly because of Salman Butt. Mohammad Yousuf went hard for a third but Salman refuse it but it was too late, Yousuf had no chance of getting back so he went to the pavilion on 7, later Umar Akmal caught in same situation, he was looking for a quick single but Salman stopped for too long and Umar was ran out. This was very disappointing because after getting such a good start of 63 they make a mess of it.

There is no doubt that the stars of the show were Ricky Ponting 209 and Michael Clarke 166 who make a new record for the highest partnership 352 for any wicket against Pakistan by Australia. Clarke was bowled by Danish Kaneria who came around the wicket when he was on 166.

Ponting completes his 5th Test double-century and 3rd highest score of 209, his innings came to an end when Mohammad Aamer decided to bowl at negative line of out side the off stump to Rickey Ponting, Ponting was caught by Yousuf trying to play a lofted shot over covers. It was a innings of share class and mental strength, he was really upset with his favorite pull shot but he never gave up and went on to score a double-century, he make Pakistan pay for the drop catch when he was on 0.

After Ponting’s departure it was all easy for the Australians to keep up the momentum and get many lead as they can in short time so Haddin and North start to take their chances against Danish Kaneria. And finally they declared at 8 for 519.