Pakistan crumbles after Ponting's double century

Salman Butt ‘s third Test hundred could not save Pakistan from Following-on but Ricky Ponting decided to not enforce follow-on and set a target for the Pakistanis, one thing for sure that Test match will goes to full five days.

On a good batting track Pakistan fell short by 218 runs but Ricky Ponting decided to bat again. Australia reached 1 for 5 leading by 277 runs, looking extremely good to win the Test match. Now the whole Match will depend on Pakistan’s last innings batting.

Last wicket partnership of 53 between Gull and Asif was a treat to watch, this partnership really firstarête the Aussies, Gull was not out on 38 which includes 3 huge sixes and Asif make 29.

Malik and Butt both done a superb job till the lunch by not losing their wickets, both showed the patience and class against all the bowlers but the Butt departure on 102 was followed by a famous batting collapse of 5 for 35.Sarfraz on the debut failed to make any impression on the selectors, Aamer also played a bad shot to throw his wicket to the Australians but the big fish was Shoaib Malik who was the last hope of Pakistan’s survival till the follow-on but he was the victim of Hauritz who make him drive but he was catch at mid-wicket.

Then came the last wicket stand of 53 who make Ricky Ponting and company to think by displaying some exciting batting talent, Gull specially played some glorious shots, Asif also stuck to his task which was to avoid the follow-on but they failed to do it but till then it was enough to make Australia bat again as they did.

Shane Watson like in the 1st innings failed to score over 50 as he was doing consistently this summer, Aamer took his wicket. At the end of day 3 Australia was on 1 for 59 leading by 277 runs looking for a clean sweep,