Steve Smith scored his 16th Test ton as Australia won Day 1 honours of the first Test of the three-match series against Pakistan here at the Gabba on Thursday.
Pakistan allowed a crowd of over 26,000 at the iconic Brisbane ground, hosting its first ever day-night Test, to salute the heroics of the Australian skipper with costly reprieves.
At Stumps on Day 1, the hosts were 288-3 with Smith and Peter Handscomb unbeaten at 110 and 64 respectively. Smith's innings was the centre-piece of Australia's day with the skipper smashing boundaries at will and leaving the Pakistani bowlers at bay.
After winning toss for the first time this Summer, David Warner (32) and Matt Renshaw(72) gave a solid start and made 70 runs for the opening wicket.
While Pakistan pace spearhead Wahab Riaz was able to find Renshaw's outside edge before he could go on to three figures, Smith and Handscomb then fought their way through to the whole final session with hope for more runs on resumption. Handscomb, playing only his second Test, compiled his highest score in the longest format.
Besides Riaz, Mohammad Amir and Yasir Shah picked a wicket each.
The Aussies would be looking to post a big first-innings score and put the Misbah-ul-Haq side under serious pressure when they would come on to bat tomorrow.
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