Commentators slam Pakistan batters for delaying proceedings on day three

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Pakistan resumed their first innings at 194-6 on day three, having lost five wickets for 70 runs in the final session on Wednesday.

Mohammad Rizwan padded up again on 29 and Aamer Jamal on two, after light drizzle delayed the start by 45 minutes.

During the morning session, Jamal was struck on the back by a short ball from Pat Cummins. Once the Cummins over finished a drink was run out to Pakistan batter Rizwan, while a physio ran on to check on Jamal, resulting in a considerable delay.

Commentators Mark Waugh, Ian Smith, and Michael Vaughan expressed their dissatisfaction with the prolonged pause, with Waugh questioning the need for such delays in the game.

Waugh remarked, “That’s just part of batting, isn’t it? What’s the physio going to do, he’s been hit on the back? He’s just got to say ‘No, off’. You can’t stop the game for a ball hitting a player on the back, surely.”

Vaughan echoed similar sentiments and pointed out, “We talk about over rates and value for money and entertainment … it’s ridiculous. 12 overs were lost yesterday, and that gets put to one side and nobody bats an eyelid.”

Ian Smith expressed concern that the delay, coupled with overs lost to light drizzle, was disrespectful to the sizable crowd of 20,000 at the MCG eagerly anticipating the action.

“I don’t quite know why we would be bringing drinks out, we’ve only been going 25 minutes,” Smith said.

Rizwan eventually departed after scoring 42, while Jamal hit a handy unbeaten 33 as Pat Cummins took five wickets to bowl out for 264 on day three of the second Test in Melbourne on Thursday.