Akhtar posts epic tweet as Pakistan collapse to lose flurry of wickets against Australia on 'boring' Karachi pitch

PAK vs AUS 2nd Test: The collapse has added a twist in the tale with Australia effectively taking the pitch out of the equation.

Australia notched up 556 for nine in their first innings and then reduced Pakistan to 100 for seven at tea to gain control of the ongoing second Test at the National Stadium in Karachi. The hosts' batters succumbed to the harsh sun to face the prospect of follow-on. Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq departed at either side of the lunch break, leaving their side tottering at 45/2.

Shoaib Akhtar shares his views on Pakistan's collapse against Australia in Karachi (AP)

Shafique made 13 before chasing a non-existent single only to be run out. Imam, who had scored twin hundreds in the last Test in Rawalpindi, stepped out against Nathan Lyon but picked out Pat Cummins at mid-on to depart for 20. Mitchell Starc then stepped into the picture to claim two quick wickets. He first removed Azhar Ali (14) and later trapped Fawad Alam for a duck.

Pakistan vs Australia Live 2nd Test

Mohammad Rizwan somehow denied Starc a hat-trick but looked pretty much like a sitting duck during his 13-ball stay. The wicketkeeper-batter got a reprieve after being dropped in the slips by Steve Smith. He also got another life when an lbw decision against him was overturned. His stay at the crease eventually ended in the next over when Cummins had him caught behind.

Starc inflicted further damage by plucking the wicket of Sajid Khan, who edged it to Alex Carey. The Aussie keeper convinced Starc to take the review and replays showed Sajid had nicked it behind. Hasan Ali was the next wicket to fall as he walked back following a run-out. Hasan pushed the ball towards the cover region and called for a single but was nowhere in the frame when Marnus Labuschagne picked it up and disturbed the woodwork with a direct hit.

The collapse has added a twist in the tale with Australia effectively taking the pitch out of the equation. The tumble also led to former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar taking a jibe at the batting unit. "Haanji boredom duur ho gaya sab ka including me. 😑 100/7 must be entertaining," he tweeted.

Earlier, opener Usman Khawaja top scored for the tourists with a fine 160, while Alex Carey (93) and Steve Smith (72) also made important contributions. Australia declared their first innings on 556 for nine on the third day and Pakistan's slump on the same day underlines the contrasting batting outings.

The first Test had ended in a tame draw in Rawalpindi with the surface getting a 'below average' rating by the ICC. Australia are on their first tour of Pakistan since 1998, having previously refused to visit over security fears. The third and final Test is scheduled to start in Lahore on March 21.