Australia batsman Steve Smith is hoping his first away Test century in over two years is just round the corner after he came close to the three-figure mark twice against Pakistan.
Smith scored 78 in Australia’s first Test in Rawalpindi before making 72 in the epic drawn at Karachi.
The former captain looked set for a century on a lifeless Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium wicket before edging a sweep against spinner Nauman Ali.
He then batted for over four hours in Karachi for his 72 in Australia’s mammoth first-innings score of 556-9 declared but edged a low catch in the second slip to Faheem Ashraf off fast bowler Hasan Ali.
“Look, I’ve been pretty disappointed when I’ve got out, that’s for sure,” Smith said on Saturday as Australia prepared for the third and final Test starting in Lahore on Monday.
“I haven’t got out in the 70s many times in my career and I think I’ve got to get the bigger scores, particularly on those wickets.”
Smith will be aiming for his first away Test ton since making 211 in the Ashes Test at Manchester in 2019.
Another slow wicket is likely to welcome both teams at the Gaddafi Stadium where there’s hardly any grass left on the wicket. “Hopefully I can get into the similar position in this Test and go on and convert,” Smith said.
Meanwhile, four limited-overs matches between Pakistan and Australia have been moved from Rawalpindi to Lahore, both countries' cricket boards confirmed on Saturday.
Three ODIs and a one-off T20 will now be staged at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Pakistan's interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told local media on Friday that the matches will be played in Lahore because of the political situation in the country's capital and Rawalpindi's twin city Islamabad.
Both the ruling party and the opposition have called for protests outside the parliament in Islamabad ahead of a no-confidence vote, which has raised the chances of unrest.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
