10 Oct 2018

Aussie batting collapse gives Pakistan upper hand

6:39 am on 10 October 2018

An all-too-familiar batting collapse has exposed Australia's frailties in Asia and left the tourists battling to save the first Test against Pakistan after losing 10 wickets for just 60 runs.

Pakistan were 45-3 in their second innings at stumps on day three, leading by 325 runs after Australia were bowled out for 202 in Dubai.

Left-arm spinner Jon Holland trapped Azhar Ali (four) lbw with the final ball of Tuesday's play after earlier dismissing first-innings centurion Mohammad Hafeez (17) courtesy of a sharp catch by Marnus Labuschagne at silly point.

The breakthroughs will provide some slight hope but Tim Paine's side will rue a post-lunch collapse which undid a highly-promising start.

Five wickets down at tea, Australia's hopes of salvation had rested on the shoulders of Paine and vice-captain Mitch Marsh.

Usman Khawaja top scored for Australia with 85.

Usman Khawaja top scored for Australia with 85. Photo: Photosport

But Marsh (12) was trapped lbw by paceman Mohammad Abbas shortly after the interval and Paine (seven) soon followed, unsuccessfully reviewing his dismissal from offspinner Bilal with replays confirming a faint edge to short leg.

Bilal, 33, thrived in his maiden Test with figures of 6-36 and Abbas snared 4-29.

Ace legspinner Yasir Shah went wicketless but would have had Mitch Marsh dismissed for three if he had gotten his hands to a caught-and-bowled opportunity which bounced off his chest.

Australia's tail failed to wag but the blame will rightly fall on a middle order that failed to contribute a score of note.

Labuschagne and Travis Head made debut ducks and No.3 batsman Shaun Marsh managed just seven.

Test debutant Aaron Finch (62) and Usman Khawaja (85) made strong starts but were unable to go on with them and swing the contest in Australia's direction.

"Myself and Ussie today not really going on and getting huge scores, that probably leaves us hanging a bit," Finch said.

"That's both of our responsibility to really kick on and not open up both ends of the game and allow them to be bowling at new batters all the time.

"That was probably the biggest mistake we made today."

Finch and Khawaja both appeared on track for centuries after putting on Australia's second-highest opening partnership in Asia.

However, some shrewd tactics from Sarfraz brought the 142-run stand to an end as Finch drove an Abbas delivery straight down the throat of a well-positioned Asad Shafiq at short mid-on.

Khawaja's growing confidence in conditions he had typically struggled in was on display when he reverse-swept Yasir for four off consecutive deliveries.

But the promoted opener also fell poorly to Bilal with a top-edge caught at short leg.

Head lasted just nine balls and Labuschagne two as Australia's hopes of getting close to Pakistan's imposing first-innings total of 482 slipped away.

Australia have only won on three occasions in Test cricket after conceding at least 482 runs in the first innings.

Pakistan will resume on day four with Imam-ul-Haq 23 not out and Asad Shafiq yet to score.

-AAP