ZCZC
BSP-27
CRICKET-PAK-AUS
Australia face challenge after Sohail hits maiden Pakistan ton
DUBAI, Oct 8, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Australia’s openers survived a torrid 13
over spell to finish on 30 without loss after Haris Sohail’s maiden century
guided Pakistan to 482 on the second day of the first Test in Dubai on
Monday.
Usman Khawaja was unbeaten on 17 and debutant Aaron Finch was 13 not out
as Australia negotiated some tight spin bowling from Pakistan on a pitch
which has started to show signs of turn.
Pakistan unleashed four overs from leg-spinner Yasir Shah and a combined
three from off-spinners Mohammad Hafeez and Bilal Asif, but both Australian
openers looked assured. Australia trail Pakistan by 452 runs with all ten
wickets intact, but they face a big battle ahead of them with Yasir expected
to pose the main threat.
A sparkling hundred from left-hander Sohail and a polished 80 from Asad
Shafiq enabled Pakistan to build on an overnight score of 255 for 3, with
nightwatchman Mohammad Abbas (one) the only wicket to fall in the morning
session.
Sohail’s patient six-hour knock featured eight fours and two sixes, as he
added 150 for the fifth wicket with Shafiq who was unlucky to miss out on his
10th century.
The pair frustrated the Australian attack with some solid batting as
Pakistan reached 329-4 at lunch, with both in sight of centuries.
But Shafiq fell to the leg-spin of Marnus Labuschagne minutes before tea
as he edged a turning ball to wicketkeeper Tim Paine for the debutant’s first
wicket.
Shafiq hit nine boundaries and a six in his 278 minutes at the crease.
Sohail did to get to three figures though, hitting a six off spinner Jon
Holland before cutting him to third man for two to complete his century.
He was finally dismissed by Nathan Lyon, caught behind as he tried to cut
the off-spinner, having easily surpassed his previous best of 76 made against
Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi last year.
Pakistan lost their last six wickets for 72 runs, including the run outs
of Babar Azam (four) and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed for 15.
Fast bowler Peter Siddle was the pick of the bowlers with 3-58 while Lyon
finished with 2-114 from 52 overs. Holland, Labuschagne and Mitchell Starc
took a wicket each.
The second and final Test will be played in Abu Dhabi from October 16.
BSS/AFP/ARS/2021 hrs