Pakistan make comical start to day two in the field

Pakistan's woes in the field went from bad to worse on the second morning at the SCG, epitomised by a comical effort from skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.

Misbah was trying to stop a ball driven down the ground by Peter Handscomb when he stuck out his boot and only managed to kick it further into the outfield.

He then almost wiped out fast bowler Wahab Riaz while attempting to throw the ball back to the wicket, leaving commentator Bill Lawry in stitches.

SCORECARD: Australia v Pakistan, third Test

"Can't make a run, can't field the ball. At least he's still laughing," Lawry said.

The skipper wasn't alone in the poor fielding display, with debutant Hilton Cartwright given two lifelines with a missed stumping on 20 and dropped by Younis Khan on 25, both off the bowling of an incredibly unlucky Yasir Shah.

Handscomb also should have been stumped on day one when he was on nine, but wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed couldn't glove the ball, while Usman Khawaja was also put down in the gully.

Legandary Pakistan fast bowler Yaqar Younis was scathing in commentary.

"(The bowlers) get demoralised. It's very difficult to pick yourself up to bowl again. It's a tough wicket to bowl on and you create an opportunity or a chance, then someone put it down."

The only joy for Pakistan in Wednesday's morning session came when Aussie opener Matt Renshaw was finally dismissed for 184.