Australia’s dismal batting display on Saturday has left Pakistan poised to complete an historic Test-series win.
Pakistan will resume on Sunday’s fourth day of the second and final Test at 2-61, an overall lead of 370, with eight second-innings wickets in hand.
Youngster Mitchell Marsh, in his debut series, top-scored with 87 in Australia’s embarrassing first-innings tally of 261 on Saturday in reply to Pakistan’s 6-570 declared.
Resuming on 1-22 on a flat batting track, the tourists were bowled out in 67.2 overs.
Pakistan pacemen Imran Khan and Rahat Ali claimed 3-60 and 2-41 and spinners Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah took two wickets each.
Pakistan won the first Test by 221 runs in Dubai and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq is moving closer to becoming the first man to lead Pakistan to a series win over Australia since 1994.
“There’s no doubt that we didn’t make enough runs as a batting group this innings.” Marsh said.
“The wicket is pretty flat. Their spinners bowled really well.
“They got the ball reverse swinging and it was a good allround effort from their bowling attack.
“So they put us under the pump and bowled us out but we will keep fighting.”
Loose shots from opener David Warner (19) and No.4 Glenn Maxwell (37) contributed to Australia’s batting collapse.
Zulfiqar removed Steve Smith lbw for a duck after Pakistan called for a video review and Michael Clarke made 47 before losing his middle peg to a savage in-dipper from Imran.
Clarke and Marsh shared a 64-run partnership after Australia had been 5-100.
Gutsy gloveman Brad Haddin, who injured his right shoulder during Pakistan’s first innings, scored 10 runs before he was bowled by legspinner Yasir off an inside edge.
The 23-year-old Marsh added 62 for the ninth wicket with Peter Siddle (28).
On 87 Marsh hit a full toss to mid-on, standing at the crease in shock after throwing away his maiden hundred. Marsh hit 13 fours and one six off 116 balls, playing through cover with ease.
Leading by 309 on the first innings, Pakistan chose to bat again rather than enforce the follow on.
Mitchell Johnson claimed the early wickets of Ahmed Shehzad (14) and Mohammad Hafeez (three) in an explosive start which included Shehzad hitting two fours and a six in the opening over.
Younis Khan, who has broken Sachin Tendulkar’s 403-run milestone for most runs in a two-Test series against Australia, is 16 not out and Azhar Ali 21 not out.
Warner took the wicketkeeping gloves for Australia as Haddin iced his shoulder in the change rooms.
Marsh said he wasn’t surprised to see Pakistan bat on.
“Whatever total they set us will be a huge one and we’ll fight as hard as we can to hang on to this Test match,” he said.
“If we get some early wickets you never know.”
Pakistan’s batting coach Grant Flower said he didn’t expect a declaration to come before lunch on day four.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
Test great Steve Smith is to play for Washington Freedom in the second season of Major League Cricket as the Australian influence in the…
Nathan Lyon has revealed his disappointment that Australia's cricket chiefs have prevented him from playing his first full season of county cricket in England…
Some of you may have watched the recent Fox Sports Series 'A Brief History of Australian Cricket: the Eighties'. If not, I’d definitely recommend…
Nathan Lyon's spell with English county Lancashire has been halved as Cricket Australia looks to protect the fitness of the star spinner. The Australian,…
Cricket Australia insists Optus Stadium can replace the Gabba as the men's Test team's new fortress after handing Perth the first match against India.…
It's no longer about how many runs score individually - it is about the team's ability to win Test in pressure moments.
