Alex Carey Misses Ton As Australia Pile 505/8 In 2nd Test vs Pakistan

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey hoped cracks on the pitch would help spinners take 20 wickets after Australia piled up 505-8 on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan in Karachi on Sunday. The left-hander became Pakistan skipper Babar Azam's only second Test wicket as he missed the part-timer's straight delivery and was bowled for 93 with just two overs left before close. When stumps were drawn, Mitchell Starc was batting on 28 with touring skipper Pat Cummins yet to get off the mark after Usman Khawaja hit a memorable 160 in the country of his birth.

"There are some cracks opening," said Carey. "I still think there's opportunities for us to pick 20 wickets going into tomorrow and day four and five."

On missing a hundred, Carey admitted the opportunity was lost.

"I am always disappointed when I get out. It was so close. Unfortunately, it's the way it goes."

When the wily Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan produced a sharp turning delivery that beat Khawaja's defensive push on the back foot to clip the top of the off stump, Pakistan had thought they would wrap up the Australian innings soon.

But Carey and Starc frustrated the home team during their eighth-wicket stand of 98 as the National Stadium pitch offered slow turn and low bounce.

Carey batted for 187 minutes, hitting seven boundaries and two sixes in his highest Test score, improving upon his previous best of 51 against England at Adelaide in December last year.

Sajid's spin partner Nauman Ali bowled Cameron Green for 28 in the last over before tea but Pakistan's plans to bat today were spoiled by Carey and Starc.

Pakistan took the third new ball after 163 overs with Australia's total at 453-7 but none of the pace bowlers could get the breakthrough.

Ashraf (2-55) and