Live Cricket score: Australia vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, Day 3, Adelaide

Australia inch closer

When Pakistan's Test squad for the tour of Australia was picked, Yasir Shah was expected to be one of the key weapons in the visiting side's attack. However, as it turned out, Yasir has shone brightly with the bat in Australia, even scoring a century on Day 3 of the Adelaide Test. Unfortunately for Pakistan, despite Yasir's gritty 113, the visitors were bundled out for 302, and were precariously placed at 39 for 3 in the second dig after they were asked to follow on.

At the start of the day, the Pakistan camp would have hoped for Babar Azam (97) to make a substantial contribution, as they aimed to get as close as possible to the follow on target. For a while, Babar did show his class, whipping the pacers to the boundary hoardings. The middle order batsman also took a toll on Marnus Labuschagne's part-time spin bowling by collecting a couple of boundaries. Just that with three short of reaching the three-figure mark, he drove at a full delivery from Mitchell Starc and was caught behind.

At 194 for 8, Australia were on course to wrap up the proceedings quickly. However, Yasir turned out to be the unlikely hero for Pakistan. He played and missed a few times, Labuschagne gave him a couple of reprieves and Tim Paine missed a stumping. Yasir, though, made the chances count and also took on Nathan Lyon by landing some lusty blows.

He also found an able ally in Mohammad Abbas, as the duo shared a stand of 87 for the ninth wicket. Eventually, Pat Cummins found enough lift on his well-directed short ball and removed Abbas, with David Waner pouching the catch in the gully. Cummins also dismissed Yasir to provide the finishing touches. Starc found enough movement through the course of the innings and finished with six wickets.

With the weather forecast not looking good, Australia then decided to enforce the follow on. The visitors would have hoped for a better show in the second dig, but once again the top order couldn't negotiate the pace trio and lost wickets at regular intervals. During the rain-curtailed final session, when rain halted play quite a few times, Pakistan's batsmen made the mistake of getting caught in the crease and paid the price. Australia also picked up the prized scalp of Babar, with the Pakistan mainstay edging an excellent good length ball that nipped away to Steven Smith in the slip cordon. Another spell of rain ensured the umpires decided to call off the day's play.

With Babar also back in the hut, Australia would fancy their chances of sealing a clean-sweep on Day 4.

Rain playing hide and seek

It rained for a while, but on one of those stop-start days, it relented and players are back out on the field. Oh, scratch that as it is raining once again!!! Just one of those days... rain playing hide and seek.

Babar too falls

After resumption, Babar continued to look in good touch, cracking a flowing back foot punch off Starc. However, Hazlewood kept pegging away and eventually, forced the impressive Babar to edge one with a good length delivery that left him a touch. Brilliant bowling by the ever-reliable seamer.

Rain stops

The rain has stopped for the moment and play to restart soon. Restart at 7.35 pm local time and will continue till 9.25 with extra half hour in place to complete overs.

Two down... and it starts raining

Azhar's poor form continued as he played around the front pad to a delivery that was angled away from Starc and Smith pouched a fine catch in the slip cordon. On quicker wickets, tougher for Azhar to play that way. And once Azhar was dismissed, it started to rain heavily. Nothing going right for the PAK skipper.

Australia still bossing the game

At the start of Day 3 of the Adelaide Test, Pakistan would have hoped for Babar Azam (97) to make an impact and take Pakistan closer to the follow-on target. Azam did make his presence felt with a sublime 97. However, he fell at a crucial juncture of the innings and Pakistan were once again in all kinds of problems. At 194 for 8, Yasir Shah (113) was the unlikely source of Pakistan's fight back as he took the tourists to a respectable total of 302. Even though Australia enforced the follow on, Yasir had salvaged some pride.

Yasir, who began the post-Tea session on 66, continued to frustrate Australia. The lower order batsman took on Lyon by cracking a flurry of shots. He also got into the 90s with a couple of well-timed flicks off Mitchell Starc. With the legspinner nearing his maiden Test ton, he had a couple of anxious moments including the single that took him to the coveted landmark. Yasir just chipped one in the air that evaded the mid on fielder, as he pinched the all-important single. Yasir took his helmet off and kissed the turf. He even tried a Warner-like celebration with a leap in the air.

Eventually, he was the last man to fall, pulling Pat Cummins to Nathan Lyon in the deep. The No. 8 batsman had his share of reprieves, with Marnus Labuschagne dropping a couple of sitters and Tim Paine missing a stumping chance. However, he made the chances count and compiled a gritty hand. He also received able support from the No. 10 batsman Mohammad Abbas, with the duo adding 87 for the ninth wicket. Mitchell Starc was the best bowler on show for Australia with six wickets.

Unfortunately for Pakistan, the visitors couldn't paddle through the brief period before the Dinner Break, with Josh Hazlewood trapping Imam-ul-Haq at the fag end of the session. Pakistan ended the session at 2 for 1 in the second innings.

Yasir's gutsy hand; AUS enforce follow on

And someone in the Australian camp has pouched a catch offered by Yasir! Cummins with the wicket. Terrific innings comes to an end. Yes, he has had his share of lucky but Yasir showed a lot of fight.

Pakistan have been bowled out for 302 with Australia enforcing the follow on. Maybe they want to bowl in the night session and the weather forecast could have played a role.

Finally a wicket...

Finally a wicket. Yes,a wicket. Cummins bowled a well-directed short ball and Abbas could only fend it to gully. The 87-run stand comes to an end. On the other hand, it continues to be Yasir's day; Labuschagne grassing the second sitter of the day - this time at FSL. Lyon has his hands on his head.