David Warner's 26th Test century propels Australia to 346/5 on Day 1
Perth/UNI: David Warner's 164 propelled Australia to 346/5 at the end of Day 1 of the first Test against Pakistan at the Optus Stadium here on Thursday.
Warner started scrappily, but gained confidence as his innings rode on, and came up with some gorgeous shots to bring up a 26th Test century. This came in at a time when his position in the team was in question, but the Aussie opener answered his critics with his usual aggressive manner.
Pakistan's inexperienced bowling lineup didn't exactly disgrace themselves, they toiled hard and didn't get the help from their fielders. Usman Khawaja was put down once, Warner was let-off twice and they did beat the bat numerous times.
Just before tea, Warner reached his century and thereafter ensured Pakistan did not come back, despite their improved bowling in the post-lunch session.
He stitched 126-run stand with his opening partner Usman Khawaja who made a vital 41 runs, before he was caught behind by Sarfaraz Ahmed off Shaheen Shah Afridi.
After a brief pause, Faheem Ashraf trapped Marnus Labuschagne leg before for 16 that forced Warner to dig in. Despite the run rate dipping, he got to his century in 125 balls, with a slice over the boundary ropes.
Steve Smith gave Warner good support at the other end as the No.4 punished unruly bowling by Pakistanis.
But, he succumbed to Khurram Shehzad as he forced him to give a catch to Sarfaraz behind the stumps for 31. This was Khurram's maiden Test wicket.
Travis Head walked in, and shouldered the responsibility of scoring at a brisk pace, and sewed a 66-run stand with Warner, before losing his wicket after scoring 40 to Pakistan's short-pitch ploy.
Warner also picked the short-pitch gauntlet, and hooked a six but finally was holed out, trying to pull debutant Jamal.
For Pakistan, Khurram, Faheem and Shaheen bagged one wicket, while Jamal successfully trapped two batsmen with tactical field placings.
Brief Scores: Australia 346/5 (David Warner 164, Usman Khawaja 41, Travis Head 40; Aamer Jamal 2-63) vs Pakistan.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
‘England stronger opposition than West Indies’: Sourav Ganguly warns India ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final
Kolkata/IBNS: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has termed England a bigger threat than the West Indies ahead of India’s semi-final clash in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

‘Back home and safe’: PV Sindhu returns after being stranded in Dubai
Bengaluru/IBNS: Indian badminton star PV Sindhu has returned safely to India after being stranded in Dubai amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Samson stars as India knock out West Indies to reach T20 World Cup semi-finals
Kolkata/IBNS: Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 powered India to a thrilling five-wicket victory over West Indies in a virtual quarter-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens on Sunday, sealing their place in the semi-finals.

Heartbreak for Rinku Singh! Father passes away amid T20 World Cup; condolences pour in
Noida/IBNS: Indian cricketer Rinku Singh is mourning the loss of his father, Khanchand Singh, who passed away on Friday after a battle with advanced-stage liver cancer, media reports said.
Latest News

‘India has betrayed me’: Mandana Karimi vows to return to Iran after Khamenei’s death

Tripura to build four Elephant passes at Mungiakami, Says Minister

Middle East conflict forces delay of Yash’s Toxic; new release date announced

One in five kids now overweight: Study highlights global obesity crisis

