Australia lose late wickets on day one as Pakistan recover from batting collapse
A wicket on the final ball of the day has swung momentum back to Pakistan after a gripping opening day | VIDEO
Marathon man Usman Khawaja lasted just 13 balls in his UAE sequel to bring Australia back to earth after Nathan Lyon had earlier bulldozed Pakistan, Ben Horne writes.
Australia lost Khawaja and nightwatchman Peter Siddle in the seven overs they were set to survive before stumps on day one, following a crazy day of Test cricket in the series decider.
Following Pakistan’s batting domination in the first Test in Dubai, Australia would have been delighted at bowling the hosts for just 282 with Lyon taking four wickets in six balls and brilliant rookie Marnus Labuschagne his maiden three-wicket haul.
But excitement was tempered severely when Khawaja was strangled down the leg-side for just 3, an unexpected twist of fate following his stunning 141 in the last Test.
Then with the very last ball of the day Mohammad Abbas struck again to trap Siddle in front and leave Australia precariously placed at 2-20, trailing by 262 on the first innings.
Aaron Finch will resume on 13 alongside Shaun Marsh, with the pair desperate for a partnership to get Australia’s rare shot at a maiden Test series triumph on Asian soil underway.
Television cameras captured Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur in the stands swearing and shaking his head in utter disbelief at the unfathomable shot choices, before captain Sarfraz Ahmed (94) launched a brave rescue mission with debutant Fakhar Zaman (94).
Arthur was captured again in animated debate with umpire Richard Illingworth at the close of play as the players walked from the field.
After teetering on the brink at 5-77 at lunch, Sarfraz and Fakhar hit the accelerator and piled on 127 runs in the middle session to turn the tide.
But on the very last ball before tea, Australia’s energizer bunny Marnus Labuschagne was brought onto bowl and delivered spectacularly to nail Fakhar lbw.
When he struck twice after the break Pakistan were eight down and with it all to do after winning the toss and seemingly bombing a chance to dictate the game.
It was only the second time since Shane Warne’s retirement that an Australian leg-spinner had claimed three wickets – with Steve Smith the only other holder of that claim to fame.
Labuschagne’s clutch play on tea was made all the more dramatic after burning the last of Australia’s two reviews two balls earlier, and earlier grassing a simple catch at mid-wicket off Fakhar when he was on 30.
Lyon now sits behind only Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Dennis Lillee (355) in Australia’s wicket-taking hall of fame with 314 Test victims, after his extraordinary burst of 4-0 in six deliveries took him past former teammate Mitchell Johnson.
At one point he was on a hat-trick, and when he missed, he took his third scalp one ball later.
Azhar Ali played a loose shot back down the wicket to fall as Lyon’s first victim, but the most inexplicable dismissal came from Babar Azam who tried to slog one against the spin second ball, despite the fact Lyon had just been on a hat-trick.
In Pakistan’s defence, the wicket turned far more than expected for a first day, and Australia applied good pressure in what could be a short Test match, but their failure to adjust in conditions they know so well came as a major shock.
The anguish and distress etched all over Arthur’s face said it all.
Footage showed ground-staff shaving the pitch fine with a whipper-snipper the night before the match and Lyon and Labuschagne took full advantage.
On day one of the first Test in Dubai, Australia barely got a look in for two sessions of painstaking toil.
But with the series on the line in Abu Dhabi, the chaos started in just the third over of play when short-leg specialist Labuschagne held one of the great juggling catches to get rid of first Test century-maker Mohammad Hafeez.
The freakish in-close catch, which he juggled using his groin, a thigh and both knees, was made all the more incredible by the fact it was off Mitchell Starc steaming in at pace.
Ironically, Labuschagne later dropped a sitter off Jon Holland, but it mattered little as Lyon’s carnage opened up at the other end from the very next over as four wickets fell with the score on 57.
Head and Labuschagne took two other in-close catches at short-leg off Lyon and the bedlam almost continued when Fakhar needed a full-stretch dive to narrowly avoid being run-out.
One negative for Australia was that they butchered their only two DRS reviews on lbw shouts from Peter Siddle and Labuschagne that clearly hit the bat.
Australia has not won a Test series in Asia since way back in 2011 when they beat Sri Lanka.
In the meantime they’ve had failed results in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh – but none more humiliating than the last time they were in the UAE and Pakistan utterly destroyed them back in 2014.
Lyon turned in the worst performance of his career in that series, taking just three wickets in the two Test matches at a disastrous average of 140 runs per wicket.
That failing makes his triumphant return to the Emirates even more stunning and he now holds claim to being the No.1 spinner in Test cricket.
Live blog — how day one unfolded:
12.15am: Final blow
Mohammad Abbas snares Peter Siddle with the last ball of day one to leave this match delicately poised. A full-length delivery nips back and traps Siddle in front but a big appeal is turned down. A referral to the third umpire shows the ball clipping leg stump and the nightwatchman is gone for four. Aaron Finch is unbeaten on 13 and Australia are 2-20. A shocking finish to day one for Australia.
12.05am: Khawaja gone!
A positive start for Australia quickly comes to an end as a brilliant catch dismisses Usman Khawaja for just three. Mohammad Abbas strays down the leg side but Khawaja’s glance is caught by Sarfraz Ahmed diving full length to his right. The third umpire confirms the catch is taken cleanly and the visitors are 1-16. Nightwatchman Peter Siddle joins Aaron Finch out in the middle.
11.45pm: Tricky stint for openers
Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja will try to negotiate seven overs late on day one, hoping to survive and return again fresh tomorrow morning. Mohammad Abbas has the new ball for Pakistan.
11.35pm: New rock does the trick
Tim Paine isn’t messing around here, he calls for the new ball after the 80th over with Pakistan 9-278. Mitchell Starc gets first use of it at Mohammad Abbas, whose 10 runs include a massive six down the ground off Nathan Lyon. After spraying a delivery down the leg side for four byes, Starc knocks over Abbas with the last ball of the over. Pakistan are all out for 282 and Starc finishes with 2-37 off 12 overs.
11.15pm: Marsh gets into the act
Another wicket for the all-rounders, as Mitchell Marsh cleans up Yasir Shah (28) with a full-length delivery that crashes into leg stump. This has turned out to be a very good day for the Australians, with a steady flow of wickets in the final session putting them well on top. The new ball is just a few overs away but the visitors may not need it, with just one wicket needed to wrap up Pakistan’s first innings.
11.05pm: Champagne Labuschagne
There’s no keeping the newcomer out of this game. He strikes again — removing Sarfraz Ahmed after the skipper skies an attempted slog and sends it only as far as mid-off. Peter Siddle juggles the chance but holds on, ending Sarfraz’s innings on 94. The batsman was clearly tiring and simply lost concentration there. Labuschagne now has 3-30 off nine overs, and he’s taken some crucial wickets.
OUT! Sarfaraz Ahmed goes for the big shot on 94 but he can't clear the fielder and is out! Both Fakhar and Sarfaraz dismissed for 94. Pakistan 247/8 #PAKvAUS
— PakPassion.net (@PakPassion) October 16, 2018
10.45pm: Skipper cops one
Mitchell Starc rejoins the attack and has Sarfraz Ahmed looking uncomfortable for the first time in the innings. Sarfraz is hit on the elbow and goes down. He calls for an arm guard after being attended to by a team doctor.
10.20pm: Labuschagne strikes again!
Marnus Labuschagne bags another wicket, this time Bilal Asif caught behind by wicketkeeper Tim Paine for 12. It’s a beautiful delivery, well flighted with just enough turn to tease an edge from Bilal. Pakistan are now 7-226 and Labuschagne has 2-18.
10pm: Play back underway
The final session of the first day begins with Pakistan on 6-204 and the visitors looking to wrap up the innings and get their turn on a good batting deck. The key wicket will be that of Sarfraz Ahmed, who is unbeaten on 78.
9.40pm: Late drama as Aussies strike
Marnus Labuschagne caps an eventful first couple of sessions with a huge scalp in the final over before tea. The part-time leg-spinner removes debutant Fakhar Zaman lbw for 94 just as it looked like the visitors would go wicketless after lunch. Fakhar and Sarfraz Ahmed put on 147 for the sixth wicket.
Labuschagne took a miraculous catch to start the day, dropped a sitter off Fakhar when he was 30 and wasted Australia’s second and final review after an ill-judged lbw shout. He now has a wicket in each innings of his opening two Tests.
This match is now evenly poised heading into the final session, with Sarfraz (78) to be joined by new batsman Bilal Asif.
9.25pm: Part-timer gets a go
Australia now turn to right-arm leggie Marnus Labuschagne, as the partnership between Sarfraz and Fakhar reaches 129. The visitors haven’t taken a wicket in the second session and these two look fairly set. Labuschagne managed to pick up two wickets in his Test debut and Tim Paine is clearly hoping for an addition to the tally here.
9.10pm: Historic day for cricket
16 October 1952 #OnThisDay, Pakistan Cricket Team became the 7th Test-playing nation, playing their maiden match against India in Delhi. #HBD #TeamGreen #BeautifulPakistan #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/yHPFrK3AQx
— Jihan 🇵🇰 (@jihan_facts) October 16, 2018
8.50pm: Sarfraz reaches 50
Sarfraz Ahmed cuts left-armer Jon Holland behind point to bring up his half-century, off just 52 balls with five boundaries. In the following over the 100 partnership is reached, coming off 137 deliveries. This pair came together at 5-75, so the rescue mission has been much needed. Sarfraz has been the dominant partner, with 58. Fakhar Zaman contributed 40 runs.
FIFTY for Sarfraz Ahmed. Only his second as a skipper. He has led Pakistan's recovery along with Zaman. PAK: 149/5 #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/WcQKWNjQJK
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) October 16, 2018
8.35pm: Fakhar firing
Test debuts don’t come much better than this one by Fakhar Zaman. The left-hander has held Pakistan’s innings together, watching on as wickets tumbled at the other end before lunch and then counter-attacking with his skipper as batting became easier. The 28-year-old has played 23 one-dayers, with a highest score of 210 not out. He’s also appeared in 22 T20 matches for Pakistan, with a top score of 91.
Fakhar Zaman very strong off-side player#PAKvAUS ðŸ pic.twitter.com/vvH3bH4izN
— աαզαs 🇵🇰ðŸ (@iCricketFreak) October 16, 2018
8.20pm: Unorthodox approach
Desperate times call for desperate measures, or in this case a wacky batting stance. Sarfraz Ahmed is pulling out all the tricks as he looks to disrupt Nathan Lyon’s rhythm. This is giving the off-spinner three stumps to aim at, and more.
Mitchell Starc is brought back into the attack but Sarfraz and Fakhar show little concern, each driving the paceman through the covers impressively and picking up eight runs off the left-armer’s first over back from a spell.
8pm: A flurry of runs
Sarfraz Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman have had enough of being dictated to and decide to take the attack to the bowlers. Safraz takes a liking to Peter Siddle’s offerings, smashing him for 17 runs off his eighth over. The skipper races to 32 and the partnership to 58. this pair has added 38 runs in just five overs since the lunch break.
100 up for Pakistan - mini-recovering after collapsing to 5-57 #PAKvAUS
— FOX SPORTS Cricket (@FoxCricket) October 16, 2018
7.45pm: Lyon resumes after the break
Nathan Lyon looks to pick up where he left off, but opener Fakhar Zaman shows he is up for the battle by reaching 50 after pushing the offie to deep cover. The handful of spectators at the ground give the left-hander a rousing cheer, while skipper Sarfraz Ahmed wanders down the pitch to shake his batting partner’s hand. Pakistan are 5-85.
What a spell from Nathan Lyon. The fact that he now becomes the 4th highest wicket taker for Australia in Tests speaks so much about how he goes about his job quietly. Only Warne, McGrath, Lillee have taken more wkts for Australia. #PAKvAUS
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) October 16, 2018
7.15pm: Lunch wrap
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon took 4-4 in six balls to leave Pakistan tottering at 5-77 at lunch on the first day of the second and final Test, in Abu Dhabi, AFP reports.
Lyon dismissed Azhar Ali caught and bowled for 15 in his fourth over and then next ball had Haris Sohail caught close to the wicket for 0.
In his next over, Lyon removed Asad Shafiq caught at short-leg and two balls later had a dancing down the wicket Babar Azam bowled — both batsmen failing to score.
At lunch opener Fakhar Zaman was unbeaten on 49 and under-performing skipper Sarfraz Ahmed four not out as Pakistan need a big fightback to post a challenging total after winning the toss.
Lyon has 4-12 from seven overs.
It was paceman Mitchell Starc who provided Australia an early breakthrough in the third over when Mohammad Hafeez fell to a freakish catch at short leg by Marnus Labuschagne for four.
Hafeez had scored 110 in the drawn first Test in Dubai.
Pakistan made two changes from the first Test, handing Test caps to Fakhar and paceman Mir Hamza, leaving out injured Imam-ul-Haq and out of form fast bowler Wahab Riaz.
Australia kept the same 11 from the first Test.
And now @NathLyon421 has taken the 4th most Test wickets for Australia; moving past @MitchJohnson398 #PAKvAUS #GOAT #NiceGary ðŸ pic.twitter.com/0GrlbVUavp
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) October 16, 2018
7pm: Pakistan survive further carnage
Pakistan move to 5-77 at lunch, with opener Fakhar Zaman still there on 49 and Sarfraz Ahmed four. Nathan Lyon has 4-12 from seven overs, leaving the visitors in a surprisingly dominant position. After reaching 1-57 Pakistan crumbled as Lyon imposed his will on the game.
6.45pm: Lyon turns Test on its head
Nathan Lyon has destroyed Pakistan’s batting line-up with an incredible spell of bowling, taking four wickets in six balls to reduce the “home” team to 5-57. The off-spinner starts by having Azhar Ali caught and bowled for 15. Next ball he removes Haris Sohail (0), well caught by Travis Head at silly point to end his fourth over.
Asad Shafiq survives the hat-trick ball but falls next delivery, caught at short leg by Labuschagne for a duck. The decision was referred to the third umpire after initially being given not out. Two balls later Lyon removes Babar Azam (0), clean bowled after the batsman misses an ill-timed drive while marching down the wicket. Lyon has figures of 4-4 and the visitors are suddenly well on top. Amazing.
Four wickets in a span of six balls for Nathan Lyon. #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/YTHvXvTn74
— #AsiaCup2018 #AsiaCup #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2018 (@AsiaCup2018Live) October 16, 2018
6.30pm: Labuschagne drops a sitter!
Marnus Labuschagne has gone from hero to villain in the first session after grassing a simple chance off the bowling of left-arm off-spinner Jon Holland. In consecutive deliveries he beats Fakhar Zaman and then gets the batsman to chip one to mid-wicket. Labuschagne dives forward but the ball slips through his fingers and Fakhar (30) survives. .
6.10pm: Lyon into the attack
Australia’s off-spinner is tossed the ball early after drinks, after 13 completed overs, to see what he can come up with. A tidy start — a maiden — from the man affectionately known as “Garry”.
With the pitch offering a little more assistance than it did in Dubai, the Australian pacers have mixed their lengths and bowled a lot more short balls in this Test so far. #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/KY6PhmN1i6
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) October 16, 2018
6pm: Batsmen rebuild after early setback
Fakhar Zaman (18) and Azhar Ali (10) have moved the score to 1-37 after the first hour of play in the second Test. Batting isn’t easy — Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc have been able to extract plenty of pace, bounce and some movement on this deck, which looks like it will be good to bat on after the first session. Starc has 1-18 from 5 overs; Siddle 0-12 off 6. Mitchell Marsh has bowled one over.
5.35pm: Siddle denied
A close call for Peter Siddle and new batsman Azhar Ali. The bowler gets one to nip back and hit Ali on the pads and a loud lbw appeal is knocked back. Skipper Tim Paine is prompted by the bowler to refer this one to the TV umpire but it reveals an inside edge. The Aussies have burnt one of their two challenges inside the fourth over. Siddle is looking dangerous in his first spell, however, getting the ball to dart around and troubling the batsmen on a good batting wicket.
Australia now going upstairs for a shout from Peter Siddle
— Ben Horne (@BenHorne8) October 16, 2018
5.20pm: Stunning catch gets breakthrough
A big wicket for Australia, and it comes in incredible fashion. Opener Mohammad Hafeez turns Mitchell Starc off the middle of the bat to the onside but it goes straight at Marnus Labuschagne, fielding at short-leg. It rebounds off Labuschagne’s right thigh, onto his left knee and the fielder is able to knock it up with his left hand and hang onto the chance.
The third umpire is called upon to confirm the wicket and a disbelieving Hafeez is sent packing for 4. Pakistan are 1-5 at the end of the third over.
5.05pm: Siddle at the other end
Veteran seamer Peter Siddle will share the new-ball duties. The 33-year-old was something of a surprise selection in the opening Test, ending a two-year drought. He will look to add to a tally of 214 wickets in the five-day arena.
5pm Starc takes the new rock
Australia’s left-arm pace spearhead Mitchell Starc opens proceedings in the second Test, delivering to debutant Fakhar Zaman. Conditions are warm and sunny, with a forecast top of 32C.
Confirmation of the teams
Australia: Tim Paine (capt), Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc.
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza
Umpires: Sundaram Ravi (IND) and Richard illingworth (ENG)
Third umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)
Meet Pakistan Test Cap number 234, @FakharZamanLive. The opener received his 🇵🇰 🧢 from @AzharAli_ #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/R2ZP99N3Yp
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) October 16, 2018
Tourists unchanged
Australia have named the same XI and opted not to demote Mitch Marsh down the batting order, AAP reports.
Tim Paine lost what could prove to be a crucial toss at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, where the pitches typically produced are known for being even flatter than in Dubai.
Pakistan will field two debutants. Fakhar Zaman replaces injured opener Imam-ul-Haq and Wahab Riaz has been dropped in favour of fellow left-arm paceman Mir Hazma.
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Paine opens up on UK strain
Australian skipper Tim Paine has opened up on the mental toll of his first tour in charge following the ball-tampering scandal and revealed the simple method he has employed to help stay relaxed and sharp behind the stumps, AAP reports.
Lauded for his humility after taking the top job during the doomed tour of South Africa, Paine quickly found himself under scrutiny as Australia slumped to a 5-0 whitewash during the one-day international tour of England.
Already juggling responsibilities as captain and wicketkeeper, Paine was also having to deal with the fallout from the crisis in Cape Town which led to heavy suspensions for Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. “I think in England one thing I learned was I probably trained too hard and tried too hard,” Paine said in Abu Dhabi ahead of the second Test against Pakistan.
“I was getting into games quite mentally worn out, I guess.
“I was using quite a lot of energy even when I wasn’t at the cricket. So it’s just being able to relax a little bit more and not train as hard.”
Australia were forced to spend 222 overs in the field during the drawn first Test against Pakistan in Dubai where the temperature rarely dropped below the high-30s.
Remarkably, Paine was still able to back up and score a pivotal unbeaten 61 to lead a remarkable Australian fightback and keep the series alive.
Additional reporting: AAP/AFP
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