Pakistan squander a great start against Australia in the first test

In the first session of the first test match between Australia and Pakistan at Brisbane, Pakistani openers did something that has never been done by anyone before, they prevented Australia from picking up a wicket in the first session at The Gabba.

Openers Shaan Masood and Azhar Ali batted cautiously against Australia's pace attack managing to see out the first session with 57 runs on the board without losing their wickets. 

All  was well for the batting pair after lunch until Cummins managed to find the edge of Shaan Masood's bat on a short ball to send the left handed opener back for a hard fought knock of 27 runs. The breakthrough  triggered another collapse as Azhar Ali immediately followed his opening partner by edging a Hazlewood out-swinger to  Burns at first slip.

Haris Sohail was the next one to go playing a loose stroke to gift Paine a simple catch. Babar Azam then threw his wicket away by edging a wide ball into Burns' hands. Ifitkhar Ahmed's soft dismissal next left Pakistan reeling at 94 for 5.

Asad Shafiq, who had been running out of partners at this point, found some help from aggressive Mohammad Rizwan who made his intent clear by hitting boundaries all over the park to provide some respite to his team. The two added 49 runs to Pakistan's total before Rizwan got out in controversial fashion edging a Cummin's delivery to Tim Paine. The replays showed evidence of a no-ball but he was given out nonetheless by third Umpire.

Yasir Shah then joined Asad at the crease and the two continued the good work of previous partnership adding 84 runs to the total before Yasir was bowled on an unplayable inswinging yorker by Starc.

The rest of the lineup did not add much as Pakistan were bowled out for 240 shortly before the close of the play. 

Asad Shafiq top scored with 76 for Pakistan. For Australia,  Mitchell Starc picked up 4 wickets while Cummins and Hazelwood took 3 and 2 wickets receptively. Scarcely used Lyon managed to pick up one. 

Australia will look to enhance their grip on the match as they start their innings on the second day.