Smith scores hundred before play halted against Pakistan

Skipper Steve Smith scored his 17th Test century just before bad light and rain stopped play on day four of the second Test against Pakistan in Melbourne on Thursday.

Smith was 100 not out with Mitchell Starc on seven and Australia 465 for six to hold a lead of 22 runs. Storm clouds were gathering and the Melbourne Cricket Ground wicket square was covered shortly before tea.

Australia added 117 runs off 34 overs in the extended morning session and were poised to take the lead during the afternoon.

Usman Khawaja was dismissed on 97 for the second time this season when he played away from his body and edged Wahab Riaz to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

He faced 12 balls for two runs Thursday before he was out in the day’s fifth over and left the ground with his head bowed.

Khawaja also missed out on a century against South Africa in the second innings of last month’s first Test in Perth.

Peter Handscomb claimed his third half-century in his three Tests to push along the Australia scoring. He was dropped off a sharp caught-and-bowled chance by Mohammad Amir on 51, but three runs later he found Sami Aslam at point off Sohail Khan.

Handscomb, playing on his home pitch, added 92 runs with Smith off 141 balls.

Nic Maddinson, under pressure after scores of 0, 1 and 4 in his three Test innings, looked composed during the 20 balls he faced before lunch.

Paceman Riaz continued to have problems bowling no-balls and has overstepped 12 times in the 23 overs he has bowled so far.

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