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Australia close in on Pakistan win after Labuschagne's maiden Test century

Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne
Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne

Marnus Labuschagne scored his maiden Test century as Australia closed in on victory over Pakistan after a dominant day three in Brisbane.

Labuschagne capitalised on his start by making 185 as Australia piled on 580 – a first-innings lead of 340 – at the Gabba on Saturday.

And the hosts closed in on a 1-0 series lead late in the day, taking three wickets before stumps to reduce Pakistan to 64-3.

That left Pakistan trailing by 276 runs and facing a heavy defeat with Shan Masood (27) and Babar Azam (20) unbeaten at stumps.

#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/EOtMOLT2Sf
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 23, 2019

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Also see – Ranji points table

It was not the end to Saturday the tourists would have been hoping for after a long day in the field.

Mitchell Starc (2-25) trapped Azhar Ali (5) in front before removing Haris Sohail, who was caught behind by Tim Paine for eight.

Super Starc gets an early one!#AUSvPAK | @SpecsaversAU pic.twitter.com/CgN61jrsRr
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 23, 2019

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Pat Cummins (1-16) was the next to strike, getting one to seam away slightly as Asad Shafiq (0) edged to Steve Smith at third slip.

Earlier, Australia resumed at 312-1 and while David Warner (154) only added three to his overnight score, Labuschagne dominated.

The 25-year-old crushed 20 fours in his century, combining for a 110-run partnership with Matthew Wade (60).

Warner was the first scalp for 16-year-old debutant Naseem Shah, who had the left-hander caught behind and finished with figures of 1-68.

Smith (4) missed out as Yasir Shah (4-205) was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers.

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