Aussies make Pakistan pay after 'unacceptable' drop

Australia have headed to lunch on day one of the Boxing Day Test at 1-90 after Pakistan’s Abdullah Shafique gave David Warner a lifeline from an “impossible” dropped catch.

Warner was out for 38 to spinner Agha Salman from the final ball of the session, but not before he and opening partner Usman Khawaja (36no) piled on the runs at the MCG.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and elected to send Australia in to bat on Tuesday.

But Masood was left deflated when opening batter Shafique put down Warner at first slip off the last ball of star quick Shaheen Afridi’s second over.

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood (r) was frustrated to see David Warner (l) survive an early chance. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Warner, who smashed 164 in the first Test in Perth, was on two when Shafique dropped a catch that left former Australia coach Justin Langer stunned.

“That’s as easy a catch that you’ll ever see in Test cricket,” Langer said in commentary on the Seven Network.

“I said it before this Test – if Pakistan have got any chance of fighting back in this series, they must field better than they did.

“That’s an impossible catch to drop. While he’ll feel sick about it, it’s not acceptable at international level.”

Warner’s 38 put him on a total of 18,502 across all formats, sending him past Steve Waugh (18,496) for most runs scored by an Australian in international cricket.

Second-placed Warner still has a long way to go before catching Ricky Ponting, who amassed 27,368 runs across his legendary career.

Usman Khawaja plays a shot on his way to an unbeaten 36 at lunch on day one of the second Test. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

It was another frustrating morning for Pakistan after they lost the opening Test of the Benaud-Qadir series by 360 runs.

But they might be able to take some confidence out of finally removing Warner, who has enjoyed batting against Pakistan more than any other Test opponent.

Despite a gloomy forecast for Tuesday in Melbourne, play started on time as the sun shone for the majority of the first session.

Conditions are predicted to turn in the afternoon, with rain and a possible storm expected after lunch.

The MCG pitch has produced bowler-friendly conditions since the infamous dull drawn Ashes in 2017, which is why Masood chose to bowl first.

“Just having looked at the MCG Tests for the past three years the bowling side has done well,” Pakistan’s skipper said.

“There’s been a bit of weather around so we’d just like to avail every opportunity with the ball.”

Pakistan got some joy just before lunch after a tough morning session in the second Test. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Afridi and Mir Hamza were able to produce plenty of swing early but batting became easier for Warner and Khawaja the longer the session went on.

While Australia went into the match unchanged, the tourists switched three players, including swapping wicketkeepers.

Mohammad Rizwan returns to the side after surprisingly being left out of the XI in Perth as Pakistan opted for veteran Sarfaraz Ahmed behind the stumps.

Fast bowler Khurram Shahzad impressed on debut in Western Australia’s capital, but is out injured for the rest of the series and has been replaced by Hamza.