NewsBite

Australia v Pakistan: live updates, day two of first Test from Dubai

Australia enjoyed a good final session, bowling Pakistan for 482, the openers steady in their first outing together.

Peter Lalor and Adrian McMurray
18 min read
12:45AMOctober 09, 2018
Print
Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch made 30 runs between them in 13 overs on day two in Dubai. Picture: Getty Images
Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch made 30 runs between them in 13 overs on day two in Dubai. Picture: Getty Images

Australia are 0-30 at stumps on day two of the first Test at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan all out for 482. See how it all unfolded below.

Peter Lalor 12.34pm: The view from Dubai at stumps

Australia’s bowlers have rallied late and knocked over Pakistan 90 minutes into the last session of the second day.

The home side was dismissed for 482 and will be disappointed it did not go bigger.

Pakistan lost 6-72, unable to keep out an attack that had every right to be tired and ragged, but one that was invigorated by two excellent cameos from Marnus Labuschagne.

The batsman who is playing his first Test started the rot by removing Asad Shafiq (80) with his surprising leg spin.

He then ran out Babar Azam and should have had another wicket but Aaron Finch spilt the edge from captain Sarfraz Ahmed at first slip. Finch made up for his error by running out the wicket keeper/batsman soon after.

The bowlers were on the whole whole-hearted and relentless through 164.2 overs across two days. Peter Siddle’s 3-58 from 29 overs was just reward for a bowler who forced his way back into the side after two years in the wilderness.

Nathan Lyon (2-114) kept asking questions through 52 long overs and Mitchell Starc (1-90) bowled with surprising speed from first to last. The quick was eventually rewarded with a scalp when given a questionable caught behind to remove Pakistan’s last batsman in his 37th over.

Mitch Marsh bowled 10 good overs for no reward but it was the leg spin of Labuschagne that was the nicest surprise for selectors who opted for him ahead of Matthew Renshaw.

Australia survived 13 overs at the end of the day, Usman Khawaja (17no) and Aaron Finch (13no) seeing off an awkward spell from the spin and seam attack.

Adrian McMurray 12.29am: Stumps on day two

Yasir Shah has looked threatening throughout, but the openers have seen him out for the day. Bilal Asif in for his first over of Test cricket and the final over of the day, a maiden. Nice stuff. That’s stumps, Australia 0-30, the end of what’s been a good final session for the tourists.

Adrian McMurray 12.19am: Another big appeal

Abbas follows that over with a maiden, before Khawaja belts Yasir Shah for four over mid-on. Lovely stuff. Hafeez is in for a late spell then, and there’s a mighty shout for lbw! Finch goes for the sweep and it hits his pad, but it was missing. The pair collect four off Yasir Shah’s next over, Australia 0-27.

Adrian McMurray 12.05am: Who’s ready for some wrist spin?

The Aussies are on a roll early in this innings, Khawaja (8) and Finch (7) making a positive start five overs in. Pakistan turn to Yasir Shah in just the sixth over, and just two balls in there’s a HUGE shout! Appeal for lbw on Finch, it was missing down the leg side though, not out. Replays show it would’ve been umpire’s call … perhaps they should’ve appealed? Just the single off the over, Australia 0-16.

Adrian McMurray 11.53pm: Australia off to a flyer

Finch gets his first runs in Test cricket, a neat shot behind deep square leg for two. Khawaja then finds a space at deep backward point for three, Finch adding another two a few balls later. Fairly good start from the new opening pair. The wicket’s still looking OK. Australia 0-9.

Adrian McMurray 11.40pm: Australia to finish the day

OK, here we go. Australia have 13 overs remaining today to play with. Khawaja and Finch to begin. Mohammad Abbas to bowl first. And Khawaja gets two off the first ball! He pushes one past cover to start positively. No further runs, Australia 0-2.

Adrian McMurray 11.32pm: Starc wraps up the innings

Looks like Starc has finally got a wicket here, there seems to be nick off Yasir Shah’s bat. Appeal, but not given! Australia review, and after a lengthy review, the original decision is overturned and he’s sent! The batsman can’t believe it, he’s out for three, and that’s the innings. Pakistan all out for 482.

Mitchell Starc took the final wicket. Picture: Getty Images
Mitchell Starc took the final wicket. Picture: Getty Images

Adrian McMurray 11.22pm: Big chance for Siddle

Siddle might’ve got another here! Big appeal for caught behind on the new man, Yasir Shah. It’s sent upstairs as out … the replays show it grazed the turf before Paine collected. He survives! Starc steaming in now, and the yorker almost yields results. How it didn’t collect the stumps, I don’t know! Pakistan 9-474.

Adrian McMurray 11.11pm: Here we go

This is more like it! Another wicket falls, this time Bilal Asif departs for 12, middle stump goes flying after an inside edge from the debutant. Siddle is up and about! Don’t think there will be a declaration now. Australia should wrap this up relatively soon. Pakistan 9-473.

Adrian McMurray 11.00pm: Another run-out!

A bit better from Starc, who concedes just the single. Siddle is reintroduced, a tidy over.

Huge moment here in Starc’s next over — Finch with a direct hit at the nonstriker’s — it’s sent up to the third umpire. Looks as though Sarfraz Ahmed doesn’t get his bat back in the crease in time. The review takes an eternity … but it’s given out! Pakistan 8-470. How about that declaration?

Adrian McMurray 10.51pm: Debutant wasting no time

Five runs off the next Starc over, including a four from Bilal Asif, the debutant — who already has an international T20 ton to his name — isn’t mucking around here. Two off Lyon’s next, Pakistan 7-467.

Adrian McMurray 10.41pm: Lyon strikes

OK, Pakistan have passed that 450-mark discussed earlier as a possible target for a declaration. No signs of that at the moment. Starc continues to struggle to find his sweet spot, but his huge workload in the Dubai heat could explain that. He’s bowled 32 overs, 0-82. Speaking of which, Lyon is onto his 50th over … and he strikes! He goes for the cut but it touches the shoulder of the bat and into Paine’s gloves. The centurion departs for 110, great knock. Bilal Asif comes to the middle and gets his first runs with a boundary through mid-on. Pakistan 7-460.

Adrian McMurray 10.32pm: Pain all-round

Starc replaces Holland, and it doesn’t go to plan, 10 runs off the over. Nasty moment where Sohail directs the ball right into his toes — ouch. Labuschagne continues down the other end, just the two off the over. The run rate’s at 2.94. Pakistan 6-453.

Adrian McMurray 10.23pm: Dropped by Finch

Labuschagne looks to have snared another when Paine whips the bails off, but Sarfraz Ahmed’s back foot was well in the crease. The very next ball, DROPPED CATCH! Sarfraz Ahmed edges to Aaron Finch at first slip, and he drops a very achievable catch. A let-off for the new man at the crease! Pakistan 6-441.

Adrian McMurray 10.18pm: Sohail’s ton

Holland and Labuschagne continue, Sohail works his way to 92. He belts a huge six right down the wicket, now at 98 … and after spotting a gap around fine leg he runs two, that’s a century! His first in Test cricket and Pakistan’s second of this match following Hafeez’s efforts yesterday. Pakistan 6-435.

Adrian McMurray 10.09pm: Another wicket falls

Another wicket! I don’t know what to do with myself! In just the fourth ball after Tea, we’ve got ourselves a run-out. Holland with the delivery, Sohail calls the run, Babar hesitates, Labuschagne (that man again!) is at mid-wicket, finds Paine who takes off the bails. Sarfraz Ahmed joins the fray. He’s off the mark with a single straight away. Labuschagne continues down the other end, three runs off his over. Pakistan 6-422.

Adrian McMurray 10.02pm: Play resumes in the third session

Holland handed the ball after Tea, here we go.

Fox Cricket’s Mark Waugh believes “a declaration should definitely happen this afternoon”.

Peter Lalor 9.49pm: The view from Dubai at Tea

Pakistan is 5-417 at tea on the second day and in a strong position.

The only wicket to fall came in a surprising manner.

Marnus Labuschagne had been known for a brilliant catch as a substitute fielder in 2014 that led to a viral video before coming into the side. That, and having a name that needed to be adjusted so Australians could pronounce it.

The batsman can now add to his resume that his has a Test wicket. One his adopted country was desperate for.

Marnus Labuschagne celebrates his first test wicket with his teammates. Picture: Getty Images
Marnus Labuschagne celebrates his first test wicket with his teammates. Picture: Getty Images

Coach and captain had both mentioned he was a handy leg spinner and the 24-year-old proved that by removing the dangerous Asad Shafiq.

It was the only wicket for the Australians in the trying second session.

Shafiq had moved to 80 at that point in a frustrating 150-run partnership with Haris Sohail (88no).

Asad Shafiq. Picture: Getty Images
Asad Shafiq. Picture: Getty Images

It was a difficult second day for the Australians who were frustrated by the batsmen and the technology. Nathan Lyon managed to trap Haris Sohail in front after the batsman had scored his half century. The batsman had charged the ball and not offered a shot. The DRS showed it would have hit the stumps and would have been out, except the veteran of six matches was more than three meters out of his crease. The video review system is deemed unreliable in such a situation.

Another decision the Australians have themselves to blame for is sticking with the old ball for 119 overs, despite getting a new batsman to the crease in the 95th.

That batsmen, Asad Shafiq, was wrinkled out on 80 by Marnus Labuschagne, the batsman brought in for his first Test and one who we were promised was a handy leg spinner, but that wasn’t until the 144th over of the day.

Adrian McMurray 9.43pm: Excitement before Tea

Well, after tough slog earlier this has been a fairly exciting period! Holland is operating at the other end, Babar Azam off the mark with a single during that over. Labuschagne wraps up the session, both batsmen taking a single off the final over before Tea, but the debutant will still be buzzing. Sohail sits on 88, Azam 3. Pakistan 5-417 at Tea.

Adrian McMurray 9.34pm: Aussies’ unlikely breakthrough

Sohail hits four off Siddle — he’s spotting the gaps beautifully. Holland resumes, appeal for lbw! Umpire doesn’t buy it, Sohail remains. Shafiq goes bang later that over with back-to-back fours! Another appeal for lbw on the last ball of the over, but again the umpire’s unmoved, a clear inside edge onto the pad. Pakistan race past 400!

Who’s ready for some part-time spin? Labuschagne is called on, Shafiq duly punishing a full toss for four. The very next ball … WICKET! LABUSCHAGNE gets his first in Test cricket on debut, Shafiq nicking it, the outside edge into the waiting hands of Paine. He departs for 80. Pakistan 5-411.

Adrian McMurray 9.20pm: Should Pakistan declare?

Holland gives Lyon a well-earned rest. Sohail belts one through cover for another boundary in Siddle’s next over, he moves to 79 for his highest ever Test score. Two off Holland’s next over and Pakistan are 4-391.

As Pakistan continue to plod on through day two, Fox Cricket’s Mike Hussey says we’ll get a better idea after Tea whether they will declare.

“Hafeez said before play the target was 450. They’re certainly in no rush to get there, but they might want to declare and have a crack at Australia,” he says.

“We’ll get a good indication after Tea. If they come out with a positive mindset, they could declare.

“This pitch is still playing pretty well.”

Adrian McMurray 9.09pm: Lovely work with the bat

No wicket first-up for Siddle, Shafiq spotting a space at point for a single. A relatively costly over next from Lyon, who’s been stingy today. Nice shot from Shafiq for three. Sohail comes up with a lovely cover drive through the off-side off Siddle, his sixth four of the innings. The way things are going, a century isn’t out of the question for either of these batsmen. They don’t look like going anywhere soon. Pakistan 4-381.

Adrian McMurray 8.56pm: Century partnership

It takes just two balls after lunch for the century partnership to be brought up, Sohail with a big drive down the wicket that goes for four around long on. Two runs off the next Lyon over, and Siddle’s back for Marsh. Let’s see if the only man to get a wicket today can produce another. Pakistan 4-368.

Adrian McMurray 8.43pm: Partnership grows

Lovely boundary from Sohail off Lyon’s bowling, who dances down the wicket and smacks it over deep extra cover. Bit of confusion at the end there between the batsmen, but they weren’t in danger of a run-out.

Marsh — whose fastest ball as been 136km/h — concedes three off his next.

The pair take two off Lyon’s 48th over of the innings and the partnership is at 99, Pakistan 4-359 at drinks.

Anyone in need of a visual representation of today’s play? This will do.

Adrian McMurray 8.31pm: Another close chance

Marsh takes over at the other end, five off his over. Lyon produces another close chance! Labuschagne can’t collect off the edge at short leg and Shafiq survives. Three off the over. Marsh follows up with a reasonably tidy over, just the one no ball, and that run rate’s at 2.69. Fox Cricket’s Mike Hussey says Marsh is improving after a shoulder injury sidelined the all-rounder.

“He’s come back a much more competent batsmen. The more time in the middle, I’m sure he’ll get better,” Hussey says.

Adrian McMurray 8.17pm: Sohail’s near miss

Two HUGE chances, both involving Lyon and Sohail. The first deceives Sohail, just missing his outside edge and Paine takes the bails. The third umpire is called on, but his back leg was still very much in the crease.

Then on the fifth ball of the over, there’s a big shout for lbw. The umpire’s unmoved, and Australia send it for review. Impact is on line, but because his pad was more than three metres out, the original decision stands. Australia don’t lose a review and still have one remaining. Sohail also reached fifty during that over. Pakistan 4-341.

Adrian McMurray 8.10pm: Fifty for Shafiq

Another Starc maiden, and there’s a bit of excitement with a lovely ball from Lyon to Sohail. It drifts towards the stumps, Sohail misses, and Paine’s there to take. Starc looks set to bring up his 12th maiden of the innings, but Shafiq has other ideas, finding a huge gap at deep cover for four. That’s 50 for Shafiq from 111 balls. Pakistan 4-339.

Adrian McMurray 7.56pm: Starc not happy?

Just the single off the first over after lunch, with Lyon resuming at the other end. Shafiq takes a single, working one to backward square leg. Starc bowls another maiden but is still without a wicket, and he doesn’t look very comfortable out there. Both batsmen take a single off Lyon and Pakistan are 4-333.

Adrian McMurray 7.40pm: Australia take new ball

OK, the players are back out there, and Australia have taken the new ball! Starc to get us going in the second session.

Peter Lalor 7.24pm: The view from Dubai at lunch

Pakistan has defied the best efforts of the Australian bowlers and moved to 4-329 at lunch on day two of the first Test in Dubai.

The 119 over old ball is reversing but soft and not that threatening. Scoring is hard, but not as hard as taking wickets.

Pakistan made 1-74 in the 29 overs of the session, accelerating the run rate in the second hour by taking on spinners Jon Holland and Nathan Lyon.

Peter Siddle made the only breakthrough, removing nightwatchman Mohammad Abbas (1) early, but Haris Sohail (46no from 132 balls) and Asad Shafiq (43no from 82 balls) look comfortable at the crease.

Peter Siddle celebrates with teammates. Picture: Getty Images
Peter Siddle celebrates with teammates. Picture: Getty Images

The wicket was Siddle’s 213th, moving him past Merv Hughes on the all-time wicket taking list for Australia. No Victorian quick has taken more.

“It’s nearly 10 years to the day since I went on my first tour with Australia, so (it’s exciting) to see these young boys getting presented their caps and the excitement they had in the lead-up,” Siddle said yesterday.

“It’s been exciting for me not just being around the group but seeing them up and about, and getting another opportunity. I’ve always dreamt of playing for Australia again in the last few years, but I’ve concentrated on just performing wherever I played. Today was a nice reward for the time I’ve put in off the park and all the other teams I’ve played for in the last 18 months to get back out there and pull on the baggy green, and walk out there with those three guys starting their journey.”

The real worry for Australia is bowling its attack into the ground. Starc was cramping last night but is gulping pickle juice and has sent down 26 overs (0-68). Siddle has sent down 22 frugal overs and has 2-28. The batsmen are getting into the spinners, especially Jon Holland who has 1-98 from 22 overs. Lyon (1-85 from 41) is faring a better but the batsmen are starting to target him too.

Mitch Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne have bowled eight overs between them but may have to deliver a few more before the innings is finished

Adrian McMurray 7.01pm: Shafiq on a roll at lunch

It took him a while to get going, but Shafiq is starting to put on a bit of a clinic here. The pair make four off a Lyon over, five off Holland in the next, before a Lyon maiden offers a rare bright spot for the Aussies during this period of play. Shafiq starts to toy with Holland, first hitting four through mid-wicket and then another three balls later, lofting one down through cover. Lyon finishes the session with a maiden and that’s lunch, Pakistan 4-329.

So, just the one wicket in the session, with Shafiq (43) and Sohail (46) nearing their half-centuries.

Fox Cricket’s Mark Waugh says he’s “very surprised” Tim Paine hasn’t turned to the new ball. “Since (Siddle’s wicket) we haven’t looked like getting one,” he says.

Adrian McMurray 6.45pm: Shafiq gets his eye in

It appears as though Lyon’s going to grab himself another maiden, but on the last ball, but Shafiq cuts through cover for his first boundary of the innings. And he’s at it again two balls later, with Holland introduced, Shafiq sweeping for another four. He’s well and truly got his eye in now, SIX off Lyon the next over, belting him down the wicket and even over sight screen! Shafiq with another four off Holland, again at mid-wicket. After Shafiq’s slow start, they’ve brought up a fifty partnership! That run rate’s crept up, now 2.74. Australia might have to take the new ball soon, who knows how long this one will hold up. Pakistan 4-312.

Adrian McMurray 6.31pm: Big chance for Lyon

HUGE shout for lbw! Lyon goes up, thinking he’s trapped Shafiq. It’s outside off-stump but Shafiq was well outside the line, not given. Sohail and Shafiq take a single each in the next Marsh over, Pakistan 4-288.

Adrian McMurray 6.24pm: Still no new ball

Time for some spin! Nathan Lyon is introduced after drinks, a fairly tidy first over for the day, just the single from Shafiq. He’s starting to get things going after a very conservative start, two off Marsh’s first ball the following over. Sohail finds the boundary driving through the acres of space at cover. The pair collect three off the next Marsh over, and still no new ball. Pakistan 4-284.

Adrian McMurray 6.06pm: Boundary before drinks

There were plenty of calls yesterday for Marsh to bowl more overs, and in his first today Shafiq gets off the mark and Sohail gets the first boundary of the day, an outside edge skipping away past third man for four. Siddle resumes at the other end. Another maiden, his 11th this innings. Another Marsh over, and on the last ball before drinks Sohail nabs another boundary. It’s low, through the slips, and Pakistan are 4-274, the run rate at 2.63. Certainly not the heights of yesterday.

Adrian McMurray 5.50pm: Superb start for Australia

Jeez, these two are bowling superbly. Of course both Sohail and Shafiq have gone into their shell a bit, but it’s only because Starc and Siddle are heaping on the pressure. Another two maidens and finally Sohail finds a spot at deep cover for a quick run. In the last 30 deliveries, they’ve only managed two runs! Pakistan 4-262, and it’s time for Mitch Marsh to join the attack.

Adrian McMurray 5.37pm: Run rate slows

Just the single off the ensuing Starc over, and a maiden in Siddle’s next. Another tidy over from Starc, they’re yet to call on the new ball. Shafiq is yet to get off the mark, while that run rate has slowed right up, now 2.66 after the 98th over. Pakistan 4-261.

Adrian McMurray 5.23pm: Early breakthrough

Just the single off Starc’s next over, and then Siddle strikes! He’s bowled him! Reverse swing comes into play, it’s pitched just outside off and comes back in after hitting the deck, clipping the top of off-stump. Abbas departs for just one run, Asad Shafiq joining the fray. No further runs that over, Pakistan 4-260.

Adrian McMurray 5.13pm: Tidy start for Australia

First runs of the day come off the very first ball, Sohail running two. He grabs a single a few balls later, and it’s Starc to kick things off at the other end. In Siddle’s next over, there’s an appeal for lbw on Abbas! But it’s waved away. A maiden each then for Starc and Siddle, Pakistan 3-258.

Adrian McMurray 5.00pm: We’re underway on day two

Here we go! Siddle to bowl the first over, Sohail (15) and Abbas (1) to resume in the middle.

Adrian McMurray 4.55pm: Flag issue resolved

There were a few issues yesterday with the New Zealand flag being flown at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Thankfully that’s been cleared up!

Peter Lalor 4.30pm: Smiling Starc brings sigh of relief

Concerns about the fitness of Mitchell Starc were alleviated this morning when the huge hearted quick presented smiling and uncomplaining ahead of the second day’s play despite bowling 21 overs in searing heat.

The fast bowler was grabbing at his groin in the last spell of the day before falling to the ground with cramp.

Teammates ran to his aid and helped him to his feet, Starc then insisted on blowing the last over. A maiden, although the last ball was slung wide as cramp crippled the quick again.

Pakistan was 3-255 after a long day under a searing Dubai sun for fielders and bowlers. Opener Mohammad Hafeez celebrated a return from two years in exile with a century, he had opening partner Imam-ul-Haq (76) compiling 205 and surviving the first two sessions.

The Australians stuck to their task admirably and were rewarded with 3-56. The ball was reversing, but soft, in the last session.

Peter Siddle took 1-23 from 15 overs, Nathan Lyon 1-63 from 33 and Jon Holland 1-72 from 18. Starc’s did not get a scalp in his 21 overs, but Hafeez rated him as the most dangerous bowler on the day.

Mitchell Starc of Australia reacts at stumps during day one of the First Test match in the series between Australia and Pakistan in Dubai. Picture: Getty Images
Mitchell Starc of Australia reacts at stumps during day one of the First Test match in the series between Australia and Pakistan in Dubai. Picture: Getty Images

Scoring was difficult in the last session with the ball soft and swinging.

Siddle looked cooked in the middle session, but like the rest of the group was restored by the slim rewards in the last.

“We were still positive, still up and about,” he said after play. We knew that they’d batted well, the wicket hadn’t offered a lot, there wasn’t a lot of movement as such yet, so we knew we had to keep grinding and we got close to that reverse swing early on, but it probably took a bit longer being a day one wicket, it’s always a lot harder.

“As we saw this evening once that ball started reversing, yes it was a little bit soft, but we saw some inroads, the boys stuck together and we had some really good partnerships to be able to maintain that through the whole session.”

He said Starc did not get too much sympathy from his mates.

“It’s always funny for the other blokes out in the field when one of their teammates is cramping up, but he’s feeling all right,” he said.

“He toiled harder, he’s always going to be used in a lot of short spells throughout the day, and I think that’s what he’s come to expect. If we get a wicket late, especially if a tail ender comes in, that he’s usually the man to get thrown the ball again. It was great for him to finish off there. He’ll rest up tonight, he was fine coming off, just a little bit of cramp.

“Everyone around that last session bowled superbly. Building pressure, bowling in partnerships, things we’ve spoken a lot about in the lead-up, that last session summed up what we’ve been working on.”

More Coverage

Australia rally late on day one
PETER LALOR, ADRIAN McMURRAY

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-pakistan-day-two-of-first-test-live-from-dubai/news-story/6368222a6a8e16c53dd70261d7af5d90