Dubai - October 9, 2018: Australia resumed their 1st innings at 30/0 at the Dubai International Stadium on Day 2 of the 1st Test against Pakistan. They trailed by 452.
Usman Khawaja struggled at the start but slowly got his act together. Aaron Finch, meanwhile, looked more confident.
Yasir Shah's introduction into the attack made life uneasy for the two openers.
Sarfraz missed a stumping chance and dropped a catch. There was bat-pad catch appeal at short leg off Khawaja, the umpire ruled it not-out and Pakistan opted not to take a review. The replays, however, suggested that it was out.
Finch went onto complete his half-century on debut.
Khawaja followed suit and achieved his first half-century in Asia. His previous best in the continent was 26.
Both the openers used the 'sweep shot' weapon to good effect.
Australian batsmen made their way to the lunch table at 137/0.
After the interval Pakistan finally got their first wicket through Mohammad Abbas as he dismissed the debutant Aaron Finch.
Khawaja meanwhile kept the scorecard ticking.
Bilal Asif got his first Test wicket in the shape of Shaun Marsh.
Asif wasn't done yet, that was just the beginning. He went onto get the better of Khawaja as well. The left-hander was dismissed after making a well made 85.
Asif's next two scalps, like him, were making their international debut.
Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne's dismissal put Pakistan on top.
Four wickets for Asif in the second session meant Pakistan tightened their grips on the proceedings.
AT Tea Australia reached 180/5. After the brief respite, Abbas struck early. Dismissing Mitchell Marsh.
Asif's dream debut continued as he deceived Tim Paine to complete his five-wicket haul.
Australia slumped from 142/0 to 183/7.
Pakistan wrapped the visitors for 202, gaining a massive lead of 280. Sarfraz Ahmed opted not to enforce a follow-on.
In reply Pakistan reached 45/3 at stumps on day 3.
The first one to make his way back to the pavilion was one of the centurions in the Test, Mohammad Hafeez.
Bilal Asif who made merry with the ball failed to impress with the bat, he was dismissed for a duck.
And just before the end of the day's proceedings, Azhar Ali, was adjudged LBW on a review taken by Australia.
Despite the hiccups, Pakistan are firmly in command, with a lead of 325 and 7 wickets in hand.
MINI SCORECARD
PAKISTAN 1ST INNINGS 482 (all out)
Hafeez 126 Siddle 3/58
AUSTRALIA 1ST INNINGS 202 (all out)
Khawaja 85 Asif 6/36
PAKISTAN 2ND INNINGS
Imam-ul-Haq 23* Holland 2/9
Pakistan lead by 325 runs with 7 wickets in hand.
