AUS vs PAK, 2nd Test: Lift glitch halts cricket: Third umpire trapped, delay in session two

AUS vs PAK, 2nd Test: The second session of the third day of the second Test between Australia and Pakistan was postponed due to an unusual and humorous incident involving third umpire Richard Illingworth becoming trapped in a lift. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is the venue for the second Test, which is a Boxing Day match between the Asian team and the World Test Championship winners. Cricket.com.au tweeted, “The third umpire is stuck in the lift #AUSvPAK, which is why the game is delayed.”

However, the players had already begun their game when Richard was finally allowed to enter his sitting area, which was only a few minutes later.

Australia is currently in their second innings and is slowly closing in on a 150-run lead. On the first session of day three of the second Test against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday, Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered two crucial blows to rock the hosts. Pat Cummins, the captain, took five wickets to put Australia in a commanding position before the visitors clawed their way into the match.
Pakistan began the day at 194/6, with Aamer Jamal (2) and Mohammed Rizwan (29) undefeated. In 56.2 overs, Pakistan reached the 200-run milestone.

Australia’s first wicket of the session came from captain Cummins, who dismissed Rizwan for 42 off 51 balls. Pakistan scored 215/7. Pakistan nearly reached the 250-run mark thanks to a strong 25-run partnership between Shaheen and Jamal, two lower middle order batsmen. Lyon reduced Pakistan to 240/8 when they trapped Shaheen leg before wicket for 21. Pakistan needed 71 overs to reach the 250-run threshold. Mir Hamza (2) was removed by Lyon, and Cummins removed Hasan Ali (2) to record his 10th Test five-wicket haul.

Pakistan trailed by 54 runs at the end of their innings, scoring 264/10 in 73.5 overs. Australia’s best bowler was Cummins (5/48) and Lyon (4/73 in 18.5 overs). Josh Hazlewood secured one wicket as well. Australia had a rough start to their second innings after Shaheen removed Usman Khawaja (0) and Marnus Labuschagne (4), bringing Australia down to 6/2 and ending the first session on a negative note.