Australia vs Pakistan 2016: 2nd Test, Day 1 - 5 talking points

#4 Azhar Ali continues to fight

Ali held the Pakistani innings together with a solid 66* at the end of the day’s play

Ali started the fight at the Gabba a few days back and today he was at it again despite losing four partners. He and Aslam had started cautiously on a good batting surface, but the ODI skipper took a little longer to get into his groove.

The first boundary off Ali's bat came in the 35th over of the innings and only three more followed in the day's play as Azhar focussed on staying at the crease more than finding the fence. He was doing a fine job for the team at the top of the order and the approach was warranted as his partners kept throwing away their wickets on a good batting surface.

While Ali has never been the fanciful, flamboyant batsman that Pakistan usually boasts of, he has done a crucial job for them as opener ever since taking the role. If he can inspire Shafiq to a Gabba-like knock, Pakistan could find themselves troubling the Aussies yet again.

En route his unbeaten 66, Azhar also complted 1000 runs in Tests in 2016.