WATCH: Jamal runs in to bowl without a ball, Afridi practices with white-ball

As rain interrupted play in Sydney, Australia found themselves at 116 for 2, with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne at the crease with scores of 6* and 23*, respectively

PHOTO: AFP

The second day of the third Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was heavily affected by rain, allowing only 46 overs of play. Opening batsmen David Warner and Usman Khawaja began the innings at 6 for no loss. In the 13th over, Aamer Jamal created an opportunity by inducing Warner into a shot away from his body, resulting in an edge. However, the debutant Saim Ayub at first slip dropped a straightforward catch.

It's happened again! 😲

David Warner gets a life courtesy of the debutant Saim Ayub #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/VAr7bBis6L
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2024

Warner managed to add 17 runs to his score but eventually succumbed to Agha Salman's bowling, giving a simple catch to Babar Azam in slip.

On the bowling front, Aamer Jamal, who dismissed Usman Khawaja for 47, engaged in some light-hearted fun after the drinks break. He feigned starting his eighth over without a ball in hand, running in and stopping midway, leaving Labuschagne, umpires, and the crowd bemused.

Not your normal kind of 'no ball'! 😆

Aamir Jamal tried some mind games with the first ball after the drinks break. #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance | #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/lftaTqueNN
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2024

As rain interrupted play in Sydney, Australia found themselves at 116 for 2, with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne at the crease with scores of 6* and 23*, respectively. They were still trailing Pakistan by 197 runs.

In the midst of the rain break, Shaheen Afridi, who was rested from the third Test in preparation for the New Zealand T20I series, was observed practicing with the white ball at the SCG.

Not sure what’s more disappointing right now. The fact that play has stopped well before the rain that is expected to hit the SCG or that Shaheen Afridi is using the time off to practice taking catches with a white ball on Day 2 of a Test he could have played in #AusvPak pic.twitter.com/4ee9vOwQxN
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 4, 2024