ZCZC
BSP-20
CRICKET-PAK-AUS-TEA
Australia solid in chase of 462-run target
DUBAI, Oct 10, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Australian openers Aaron Finch and Usman
Khawaja gave their team another solid start of 72 without loss by tea on the
fourth day of the first Test against Pakistan in Dubai on Wednesday.
Set a daunting 462-run target to win, Finch remained unbeaten on 39 and
with him Khawaja on 32 not out at the break, needing another 390 runs for an
unlikely win on a weary Dubai stadium pitch.
The pair had put on 142 for the opening stand in the first innings but once
their partnership was broken Australia lost their last nine wickets for a
mere 60 runs.
If Australia wish to win this match they will have to rewrite the history
books as the highest chase in all Test cricket is West Indies’s 418-7, made
against Australia at Antigua in 2003.
Pakistan, who were 45 for three overnight, declared 7.5 overs after lunch
on 181-6 at the fall of Asad Shafiq’s wicket for 41.
Pakistan made 482 in their first innings while in reply Australia were
dismissed for 202.
Jon Holland, who took the key wicket of Azhar Ali for four on Tuesday,
dismissed opener Imam-ul-Haq for 48, caught and bowled off a flighted
delivery.
Debutant Marnus Labuschagne then had Haris Sohail caught close to the slips
for 39, leaving Pakistan at 110-4. Sohail and Imam had added 65 runs for the
fourth wicket.
Holland had figures of 3-83 from 20 overs while off-spinner Nathan Lyon
took 2-58.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1723 hrs