ABU DHABI – Pakistan tightened their grip on the second Test against Australia in Abu Dhabi Thursday as they reached 350-5 after lunch, in a morning marked by a bizarre run out of Azhar Ali.
At the tea break on the third day, Babar Azam was unbeaten on 90 and with him, Sarfraz Ahmad on 34 not out as Pakistan’s overall lead reached 487 with five wickets intact.
Pakistan resumed their second innings on 144 for two with Azhar not out on 54 and Haris not out on 17 and a lead of 281 runs.
Haris fell victim to Nathan Lyon for 17 runs while Azhar was run out on comical fashion for 64 runs.
On Wednesday, medium pacer Mohammad Abbas registered a five-wicket haul to steer Pakistan into a dominating position in Abu Dhabi after bowling out Australia for a paltry 145 runs.
Abbas finished with five for 33 to give Pakistan a 137-run lead in the first innings on the second day at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Debutant Fakhar Zamanlifted Pakistan with a brilliant 66 following up his 94 in the first innings, before giving a return catch to Lyon who took an evasive action but still managed to hold onto the ball.
Fakhar hit seven boundaries in an enterprising knock. The first Test in Dubai last week ended in a draw.
