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

#4 Shafiq plays the supporting role to perfection

Shafiq scored a composed half-century

After churning out a magnificent hundred at the Gabba to scare the Aussies to no end, Asad Shafiq was back to his familiar supporting act. Azhar Ali, was past his half-century when Misbah was dismissed by Bird and Shafiq walked in.

He played out Day 1 with an exhibition of his defensive technique and strong awareness of his off-stump. On Day 2, as Ali continued on to his hundred, Shafiq played the supporting role, helping his team-mate in a steady partnership.

The partnership was worth 115 and Shafiq had just reached his half-century when Jackson Bird got the second new ball talking. A perfect outswinger accounted for Shafiq as he edged to Steven Smith. But his partnership with Azhar Ali had put Pakistan in a good position after a debacle on Day 1.