DUBAI – Pakistan’s batsmen reached 359-4 at lunch on the second day of the first Test against Australia in Dubai on Monday.
Haris Sohail was unbeaten on 46 and Asad Shafiq on 43 not out for the loss of just one wicket after resuming at 255-3.
Sohail and Shafiq ensured Pakistan built on a solid foundation laid by opener Mohammad Hafeez who made 126 on an opening day. Pakistan lost nightwatchman Mohammad Abbas in the fifth over of the day, bowled by fast bowler Peter Siddle for one in the fifth over of the day.
Siddle was the pick of the bowlers with 2-28.
But Australia delaying the second new ball allowed Sohail and Shafiq to open up in the second hour, adding 55 more runs.
Shafiq hit a four and a six off spinner Nathan Lyon while Sohail smashed one off left-armer Jon Holland over long-on to add 69 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket stand.
Neither Lyon nor Holland have yet to trouble the batsmen on an unresponsive Dubai stadium pitch, which is expected to take a turn from day three.
Playing XI
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
Australia: Tim Paine (captain), Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc
Umpires: Richard Illingworth (ENG) and Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
TV umpire: Sundaram Ravi (IND)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)
