MELBOURNE: Opening batsman Azhar Ali remained unbeaten on 139 as he helped Pakistan to reach 310 for six before rain brought a premature end to the second day as well in the second Test against Australia in Melbourne.
Pakistan started the day at 142 for four. Both Ali (139 not out) and Asad Shafiq (50) looked solid and brought their 50-run stand in the 67th over.
The 69th over bowled by Jackson Bird (3-91) saw Shafiq survive a review from Australia while Ali also survived a run out chance.
After rain halted play for 15 minutes, Ali completed yet another century and also Pakistan crossed the 200-run mark.
The 100-run stand between Ali and Shafiq came off just 195 deliveries following which there was three more hours of delay due to rain washing the entire second session away.
Australia took the new ball in the final session and in the 85th over, Ali survived a run out chance as well a caught behind appeal as the ball had just bounced before Matthew Wade pounced on it.
Shafiq completed his 18th Test fifty in the 88th over and few deliveries later he was caught at first slip to give Bird his third wicket in the innings.
Even though, Pakistan lost Sarfraz Ahmed (10), Mohammad Amir's (28 not out) brisk 23-ball innings along with Ali at the other end, the visitors reached 310 for six before rain once again arrived with a hour of play left in the game. However, this time there was no chance of resumption.
