AUS v PAK 2023-24: WATCH- Shaheen Afridi sledges Marnus Labuschagne amidst intense duel

The second Test between Australia and Pakistan got underway in Melbourne on Dec 26.

The second Test between Australia and Pakistan got underway at the MCG on December 26, 2023. Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and chose to bowl first. Notably, Pakistan had lost the first Test in Perth by a huge 360-run margin.

Australia openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja had added 90 runs for the first wicket. This brought Marnus Labuschagne out in the middle and he had an intense face-off with Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi. Labuschagne and Smith dug in to weather some testing bowling, with runs hard to come by.

AUS v PAK 2023-24: WATCH- Marnus Labuschagne and Hassan Ali try to chase away pigeons at MCG

Pakistan pacers Shaheen Afridi, Mir Hamza, Hassan Ali, and Aamir Jamal found plenty of movement and help from the day one pitch in Melbourne. With dark clouds overhead, the lights were turned on mid-afternoon with Labuschagne and Smith in survival mode as the bowlers turned the screws.

This play saw an intense battle between Labuschagne and Shaheen. Shaheen was spotted slamming Labuschagne early in the second session after the Australian batter survived a ferocious spell from Pakistan's paceman. Shaheen was aggressive in his attempt to rattle Labuschagne, who was composed early in his inning.

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