WATCH: David Warner receives standing ovation, expresses gratitude at MCG

David Warner got a standing ovation when he walked back to the dressing room on Thursday at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). In the ongoing Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, the left-hander could only manage six runs in Australia’s second innings before he was dismissed by Mir Hamza in the fifth over after lunch. It was a short ball outside off and Warner attempted a pull, dragging it onto the middle stump. Warner was disappointed with this dismissal - but as he walked off, the MCG’s ovation seemed to move Warner. He acknowledged the applause by waving his bat and then gave a thumbs-up to the fans. Additionally, he handed his batting gloves to an excited child eagerly awaiting a high-five from the veteran Australian batter. Before his final innings at the MCG, Warner started the Test series against Pakistan with a smashing ton in the first Test in Perth, where Australia won by a massive 360 runs. The left-hander scored 162 in the first innings but failed to trouble the scorers in the second innings. In Melbourne, Warner posted scores of 38 and 6. His last Test match will be at his home ground in Sydney, starting on 3 January.

Australia were pushed onto the backfoot when they lost Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne in quick succession during the second Test against Pakistan. Earlier in the day, Pat Cummins took five wickets to finish with figures of 5-48, and Nathan Lyon chipped in with 4-73, as Pakistan were bowled out for 264.

Pakistan bowlers came out under cloudy skies as left-arm pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mir Hamza picked up two wickets each on either side of lunch. Australia found themselves reeling at 16 for 4, holding a meager lead of just 68 runs. However, a crucial moment came when, with Australia at 46 for 4, Abdullah Shafique dropped Mitchell Marsh, who was on 20, at first slip.