Pakistan
Stumps
Australia
| 3/255 Pakistan are 255 for 3 |
| 1/72 (18.0) | *Holland | O: 90.0 | Sohail* | 15 (53) |
| 0/66 (21.0) | Starc | RR:2.43 | Abbas | 1 (13) |
| c. Starc b. Holland |  | 86.5 3/244 |  | Ali 18(80) |
| lbw. Siddle | | 69.3 2/222 | | Hafeez 126(208) |
| c. Paine b. Lyon | | 62.6 1/205 | | ul-Haq 76(188) |
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| First Innings: Pakistan | 3/255 | RR: 2.43 | O: 90.0 |
|---|
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
I. ul-Haq c. Paine b. Lyon | 76 | 188 | 7 | 2 | 40.43 |
M. Hafeez lbw. Siddle | 126 | 208 | 15 | 0 | 60.58 |
A. Ali c. Starc b. Holland | 18 | 80 | 2 | 0 | 22.50 |
H. Sohail not out | 15 | 53 | 0 | 1 | 28.30 |
M. Abbas not out | 1 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 7.69 |
A. Shafiq | |||||
M.B. Azam | |||||
S. Ahmed*+ | |||||
M.B. Asif | |||||
Y. Shah | |||||
W. Riaz | |||||
Extras (b 2, lb 15, w 0, nb 2) | 19 | ||||
| Total | 255 | ||||
| Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Ec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.A. Starc | 21.0 | 6 | 66 | 0 | 3.14 |
| P.M. Siddle | 15.0 | 7 | 23 | 1 | 1.53 |
| N.M. Lyon | 33.0 | 10 | 63 | 1 | 1.91 |
| J.M. Holland | 18.0 | 1 | 72 | 1 | 4.00 |
| M. Labuschagne | 2.0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 4.50 |
| M.R. Marsh | 1.0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5.00 |
Australia begin their tour of UAE with the first of two Tests against Pakistan in Dubai as they look to overturn a poor run of overseas form. The game will begin at 5pm AEST and you can follow it live with The Roar below.
Nearly three months these two sides had met over three matches but the format was a different one – T20I cricket.
Pakistan, the number one team in T20Is, did lose the first game of their tri-series – a hapless Zimbabwe formed the third side – but they went on to crush the Aussies in the next two to win the title.
That included a race to 184 in the series final that Pakistan won with miles to spare.
T20Is have been replaced by Tests for the start of this tour but Australia’s potential issues going into this series remain concerned around similar reasons – the absence of Steven Smith and David Warner.
Their absence stems from one of the biggest cricketing scandals in Australian history, one that needs no real reminder, but what’s poignant to note is that this would be the first Test series they play since the controversy broke out.
Tim Paine, who had led Australia in the final Test of that series in South Africa, will continue to captain the team but the bigger question in front of him and coach Justin Langer is how can the team tackle the Pakistani spinners in conditions tailor-made for them.
Pakistan would be stinging from a horrid showing in the recently concluded Asia Cup, a tournament they had gone in with the co-favourites tag sitting firmly on their shoulders. Two defeats to India, one to Bangladesh and the team did not even make it to the final.
And as a result, to show how serious they are going into this game – and series as a whole – Pakistan provided the Aussie side a practice game opponent with just one frontline spinner in the line-up.
Now it’s a tactic that hosts have often used, that of providing a second-string team in the lead-up to an important series, but going in with just one spinner on a slow and low pitch came as a big surprise.
The Australian batsmen made merry, finishing on 494/4 thanks to a Mitchell Marsh 162 while there was invaluable game time for everyone who batted for them.
Australia will hopefully take away something from that game because the likes of Shadab Khan, Yasir Shah and Bilal Asif might not allow for an easy combination to face up to. And the Dubai pitch might not turn out to be as unforgiving for the bowlers.
Speaking of which, Nathan Lyon’s eight-fer in the game should hold him in a good stead going into the Test but he will need good support from Jon Holland who has been named ahead of Ashton Agar for this one.
Prediction
Despite the loss of their two legends, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan have enough by the way of bowling for these conditions to put the Aussies to sword.
Australia’s best chance to match up to their hosts in the absence of Steven Smith and David Warner is to bat first and bat long.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the first day of this first Test in Dubai from 5pm (AEST) and don’t forget to drop a comment in the section below.
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
After an opening partnership of 205 Pakistan could not finish the day with a 300+ score at the end of the day. Credit going to Australian bowlers.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Not the most brilliant days of Test cricket. Conditions heavily loaded against the bowlers, bit of reverse towards the latter part of the day but the lack of pace was an issue. Not too much bite off the surface and that combined with Pakistan's lacklustre approach in the third session batting has left a lot to desire for the onlookers but the hosts will be happy with their score EOD. The toss was a crucial one, batting first in these conditions was always going to be a big advantage and they end on 3/255 thanks to a double-century opening stand. Mohammad Hafeez scored a ton, Imam-ul-Haq nearly scored one but those three wickets have kept Australia in the game. To an extent. Back tomorrow with this live blog. Have a good evening.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A maiden from Starc to Abbas to finish the day's play. Pakistan finish on 3/255 in their 90 overs.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Mitchell Starc will bowl the last over of the day. Looked like his issues were cramps-related.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Huge shot, six! Sohail takes on Holland and yet again, that sense they are looking to target him. Goes all the way but that remains the only scoring shot of the over. 3/255 in 89.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Night watchman Mohammad Abbas has come in now. Azhar's reaction after getting out was one of so much frustration, it took him some time to go away. In the meanwhile, Starc has been brought back on and three balls into the spell he's feeling some part of his leg. Some muscle. Not good.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Oh dear, gone, Azhar departs! That is terrible batting, and I am not talking about the wicket alone. Azhar Ali, a number three bat on a docile pitch, has scored an 80-ball 18 and got out trying to slog Holland over the top. Dug a big hole in this session, Azhar, and then jumped into it. Three down with not too many runs scored in this session.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Finally! Really Tim, captaincy includes knowing who is in your team. Not a good start.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Five singles from Marsh's first over of the day. 2/243 in 86.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Mitchell Marshgets his first bowl of the day 20 minutes before the end.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Shot, four. Holland has conceded a few today and Azhar Ali smacks him for a four, over his head. Interesting to watch the way the Pakistan batsmen have taken on Holland. He's gone for four an over. 2/238 in 85.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Jon Holland comes in to bowl.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Maiden from Starc. The shutters were pulled down long ago. The locks have also now been put and they are returning home. Six overs remaining for the day. 2/234 in 84.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Another couple of runs in the Lyon over, driven through the covers by Azhar Ali to take him to 12... ...12 off 67 balls. The stand's up to 12 too, off 81 balls. 2/234 in 83.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
No doubting there's enough still on offer for the seamers with the old ball and for now, the fourth umpire, who had the new ball in his hand, has been asked to go back and take his seat. Lyon will continue. 2/232 in 82.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Couple of singles in the Lyon over as Australia continue to explore the idea of the old ball providing reverse swing for the seamers. 2/230 in 81.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The grind continues. There is one half volley whose invitation is finally accepted by Sohail and they get a couple of runs but otherwise, the general contentment in being watchful. 2/228 in 80. New ball's due but I sense it might not be taken immediately.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Strange sort of a partnership this. Four runs added off 57 balls with neither batsmen wanting to rotate strike whatsoever. Sure, it's a good bowling effort but this is quite a defensive approach to batting. Another maiden from Lyon. 2/226 in 79.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Been a strange effort.