‘We’re a bit ahead’: Hasan Ali, David Warner praise Pakistan quicks

Pakistan’s four-pronged pace attack has been praised by its opponents as Hasan Ali says his side is “ahead” after the first day at the MCG.

Pakistan seamer Hasan Ali claims the tourists have pole position after the first day at the MCG despite an easy missed chance costing them a fast start with the ball.

Abdullah Shafique dropped a sitter at first slip which would have sent David Warner on his way for 2 in the third over, but Hasan said he was pleased with how his side fought back after some “bad luck”.

Two diving one-handed chances including what would have been a screamer to Babar Azam at cover went to ground, but Pakistan’s four quicks were consistent after a disappointing patch just before lunch to restrict Australia to 3-187.

“It was a good day as a bowling unit. We are a bit (unlucky) we haven’t got enough wickets, but the best thing is we did not give them enough runs, so I think we are a bit ahead of them,” Hasan said.

After being left out of the Perth Test, Hasan Ali was emotional after removing Usman Khawaja on his way to 1-28 from 14 overs at the MCG. Picture: William West / AFP

“After lunch we had a small discussion that we weren’t good enough, but after I think we gave them 22, 23 runs in that (second) session.

“We’re looking forward to tomorrow – we will bowl them out for minimum runs.”

Hasan thought the MCG pitch was slower than expected, with enough variable bounce to justify the tourists bowling first after captain Shan Masood won the toss.

Off-spinner Salman Ali Agha was threatening in his three overs, removing Warner before almost dismissing Travis Head in identical fashion, but Hasan said his side did not miss a trick by not including a specialist spinner.

“I think the record (says) if you bowl first here you have enough chance to win the game.

“The pitch is a bit tricky, it was a slow pitch on the first day and the bounce was not consistent.

Picked as the lone spinner in Pakistan’s side, all-rounder Salman Ali Agha only bowled three overs but claimed the wicket of David Warner with the last ball before lunch. Picture: Michael Klein

“Salman bowled brilliantly in the last game as well, and he got David Warner in this game, so he’s doing well.”

Although he was “taken aback” by Shaheen Afridi’s heavy 20-over workload, Warner said Pakistan’s attack had been “outstanding”.

The left-hander said it mattered little to Australia’s batters that the Pakistan bowlers’ pace as a collective appeared to be down on previous series.

“I don’t really think it matters about your pace if you put the ball in the right areas, and I think you saw today they bowled extremely well,” Warner said.

“I was taken aback by how many overs Shaheen has bowled already – it’s a long, long day for him with a short amount of overs bowled.

“I think Mohammad Abbas came out last (time) and he probably missed his mark … if you’re not bowling quick here in Australia, you have to have some skill base to actually hit that line and length.”

Originally published as ‘We’re a bit ahead’: Hasan Ali, David Warner praise Pakistan quicks