ABU DHABI 18 October 2018: Despite the Arabian sun bathing Zayed Cricket Stadium yesterday, Australia’s afternoon was severely clouded by their lower order batsman being dismissed in just 15 overs.
Play resumes at 10am today and entrance to Zayed Cricket Stadium for all days of the Test is free.
Day two of the Second Test of the Jubilee Insurance Brighto Cup 2018 Test Series saw Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc tried to take a stand against the Pakistani bowlers, but were cleaned up for 145 all out, leaving Australia’s odds looking bleak.
Aaron Finch looked to stabilise the team, but was dismissed by Fakhar Zaman for 39 off 83.
Pakistan strode out to the crease for their second innings, looking to seize the advantage given to them by their bowlers. In spite of the early loss of birthday-boy Mohammad Hafeez for six runs (caught at short cover by Travis Head) Pakistan had reached 51 runs off 66 balls by tea.
Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali built a solid partnership of 91, leaving Australia’s bowling line up, led by Lyon and Peter Siddle, struggling to reign in the two batsmen.
The left-handed Zaman batted into the history books by being the first Pakistan opener to reach a half-century in both innings on Test debut. However, the 28-year-old was denied a century in his first Test when Lyon took an incredible catch off his own bowling, dismissing Zaman for 66.
Zaman’s dismissal didn’t dampen Pakistan’s attack, as Azhar Ali reached his 50 towards the end of play with calm, expansive batting against a flailing Australia.
The right-handed batsman steered Pakistan to finish the afternoon’s session on 144 for two, leading Australia by 281 runs with eight wickets remaining.
Morning Session
In the morning, Pakistan picked up where they left off, dismantling Australia’s top-order to take an additional five wickets.
Mohammad Abbas got things started for Pakistan ensuring Shaun Marsh was caught at first slip by Haris Sohail.
Australia attempted to take on the Pakistani bowlers to no avail as Abbas struck again tempting a clean edge from Travis Head, which saw him caught at second slip by Asad Shafiq.
Things worsened when Mitchell Marsh outside edged a ball by Yasir Shah to first slip, which Asad Shafiq dutifully took to earn his second catch of the morning.
Aaron Finch did however manage to steadily build his run total with his half century almost approaching before disaster struck as he was dismissed for 39 being bowled by Bilal Asif and caught by Fakhar Zaman.
There was late drama just before the lunch break as Tim Paine was dismissed LBW by Bilal Asif. Despite Paine reviewing the decision, he was stuck in front of his stumps with the ball hitting his front leg with the review clearly showing the ball going on to clip the outside of leg stump.
