'Needs to be outlawed': Cricket world fumes over 'ridiculous' act

The cricket world was left gobsmacked on the opening day of the second Test between Pakistan and Australia as the hosts resorted to some baffling tactics.

Usman Khawaja's emotional century underpinned Australia's 3-251 on day one in Karachi, the Aussie opener scoring an unbeaten 127 in his birth country.

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Islamabad-born Khawaja completed his third century in four matches since being recalled to the Test side in January after a 29-month absence.

Khawaja, who also made 97 in the first Test, combined with Smith for a 159-run partnership at Karachi's National Stadium.

Pakistan's frustrations mounted as Khawaja and Smith piled on the runs, resorting to some negative tactics that left commentators fuming.

As we saw from both sides during the first Test, Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan set up down the leg-side with Khawaja on strike, with spinner Sajid Khan delivering the ball way outside the Aussie batter's pads from around the wicket.

It was a baffling tactic that appeared aimed at slowing down the Aussies' run rate, which was way up at 4.5 at one stage.

“It’s like they’re trying to bore these batsmen out. It’s like they are trying to get them out that way," Aussie commentator Michael Kasprowicz said.

Pakistan legend Waqar Younis took aim at captain Babar Azam, saying: “The tactics I’m seeing at the moment, it’s like we are looking for a draw on the first day. It’s ridiculous."

Broadcaster Glenn Mitchell wrote on Twitter: "This is hard to watch. Spin from both ends ... bowling way outside leg stump. Complete negativity by PAK. Farcical."

Channel Nine's Matthew Thompson wrote: “This is just utter crap. Foot outside leg / keeper standing outside leg stump needs to be outlawed. It’s doing nothing but hurt the game”.

Sports reporter James Mottershead commented: “Cricket shouldn’t return to Pakistan if they keep serving this s*** up”.

Usman Khawaja's emotional century in country of birth

Smith fell in the penultimate over of the day for 72, while the visitors lost David Warner (36) and Marnus Labuschagne, run out for a duck, in the first session.

Smith, just before stumps, edged a Hasan Ali (1-31) delivery to second slip where Faheem Ashraf took a screamer diving to his left.

Earlier, Khawaja and Warner put on 82 runs, an Australian record opening stand in Tests in Karachi.

Speaking after play, Khawaja said his Test ton in front of some of his Karachi family was something special.

"My family is actually from Karachi, this is where the Khawajas are from," he said.

"Everyone in my family is born in Karachi except me so this is my home, I have been here a lot.

"Every Test hundred is pretty special - the Sydney ones are probably up there as my favourites.

"This one, after last week getting 97, it has got to be up there ... I was born in Islamabad but my family is all from Karachi so this one meant a lot."

Only four members of his clan were in the National Stadium on Saturday, but they joined the rest of the crowd in wildly cheering Khawaja's latest feat.

"They have been so supportive, I couldn't have asked for any more," he said.

"I love it because they want Pakistan to win, you can tell they're diehard Pakistani supporters, but they're very supportive of me."

with AAP

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