WATCH: David Warner maintains his calm despite Pakistan bowlers riling him up

David Warner 2.0 was seen in his full glory on Day 3 of the historic Pakistan-Australia first Test in Rawalpindi this Sunday (March 6), as the experienced batter maintained his calm and laughed off the jeering from opposition bowlers.

Warner never lost his patience and temper despite a concentrated effort from Pakistan pacers and spinners to try and rile him up and induce mistakes with the bat.

In a stark contrast from his early days at the top-level game, when he might have been vulnerable of reacting to anger with anger, the Australian maintained his composure at the crease.

He, in fact, smiled in response to the verbal volleys and animated expressions that were thrown his way.

Also Read – Did You Know David Warner Used To Be A Fast Bowling All-Rounder?

David Warner retains calm and laughs off Pakistan’s verbal volleys

David Warner led Australia’s fight at the top of the order on Day 3 in Rawalpindi, playing a critical knock of 68 off 114 deliveries, including 12 fours. Historically, Warner’s game in the subcontinent has fallen under scrutiny. But in this instance, he comfortably negotiated the Pakistan quicks and spinners on a benign deck.

Warner stitched an opening stand of 156 runs with an in-form Usman Khawaja, allowing Australia to take the game back to Pakistan, who posted a daunting 476/4 declared in their first-innings and were pushing hard to build inroads into the visitors’ batting unit.

Apart from his solid defence and attractive strokeplay, an integral aspect of David Warner’s effort for the day was how he kept Pakistan’s intimidatory tactics at bay. The batter admirably kept his calm and composure when they tried to get under his skins and make him play a false stroke. Warner, in fact, laughed it out.

He did not lose his cool even when a vicious bouncer from young seamer Naseem Shah hit him on the back as he tried to take evasive action and save his body. Warner was later seen interacting with Naseem and made amends with a beaming smile.

A good start to the tour will be a cause of happiness and relief for David Warner, who has often faced question marks for his Test match record overseas, especially in the subcontinent. The batter has an overall average of 47.40 after 97 Tests for Australia but it drops down to only 35.77 in Asian conditions.

Warner will be hoping to continue the form displayed in Rawalpindi as Australia go deeper into their historic return to Pakistan after 24 long years.