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28 March 2024

Pakistan vs Australia 1st Test Day 2: Warner hits half century; Aussies 113-0 at close of play

Younis Khan of Pakistan leaves the ground after being dismissed for 106 runs by Mitchell Johnson of Australia during Day One of the First Test between Pakistan and Australia at Dubai International Stadium on October 22, 2014 in Dubai, UAE. (GETTY)

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By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies

A superb century (109) from Sarfraz Ahmed and his 124-run sixth wicket partnership with Asad Shafiq (89) took Pakistan to 454 against Australia in the first innings of the first Test match at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

Sarfraz stole the limelight with a hurricane knock, his 100 coming from just 80 balls and consisting 14 boundaries.

But Australia made a strong comeback and were 113 for no loss at close of play on Day 2 with opening batsman David Warner leading the fightback with a classy and chanceless unbeaten 75 from 77 balls (7x4, 1x6) while Chris Rogerschipped in with a sedate but supportive role scoring 31 from 110 balls to help the visitors keep this Test match alive on a dead pitch.

EVENING SESSION

Warner sweeps Yasir for four. Aus 100-0 in 27 overs.

Warner pummels Yasir Shah for a huge six. Aus 92-0 in 25 overs.

A run-a-ball half century for the fearless Warner, his sixth Test fifty in a row. Aus 81-0 in 23 overs.

Warner and Rogers put on a half century partnership. Aus 50-0 in 16 overs.

DROPPED! Younis Khan spills a regulation catch at first slip off Rogers and the unfortunate bowler is Zulfiqar. Aus 44-0 in 14 overs.

David Warner and Chris Rogers are off to a steady start as Australia are 21-0 in 10 overs.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

Sarfraz Ahmed's century helped Pakistan reach 454 in their first innings against Australia. Zulfiqar Babar had to retire hurt after injuring his finger against Johnson.

Zulfiqar Babar absent hurt 7 (14b 1x4 0x6)

AFTERNOON SESSION

A superb century (109) from Sarfraz Ahmed took Pakistan to a healthy 454 for 8 against Australia at tea on the second day of the first Test at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

Sarfraz stole the limelight with a hurricane knock with his 100 coming from 80 balls and consisting 14 boundaries. Unfortunately he fell at the stroke of tea.

Earlier, Asad Shafiq missed out on his century when he got out on 89 but Pakistan are comfortably placed against the Aussies.

However, there is concern as Zulfiqar Babar was hit on his finger by Johnson and was bleeding. He seems uncomfortable which hopefully the Pakistanis will be worried when it comes to his bowling.

Sarfraz Ahmed st Haddin b Lyon 109 (105b 14x4 0x6)

Pak 450-7 in 144 overs.

Debutant O'Keefe gets his second victim and its another debutant Yasir Shah who top-edges to Rogers. Pak 442-7 in 140 overs.

Yasir Shah c Rogers b O'Keefe 2 (15b 0x4 0x6)

Sarfraz glides Marsh over slips for four to score his 100 off only 80 balls with 14 fours to his credit. 

Shafiq squandered a golden chance to get to his century. After hitting O'Keefe for a straight six, the next ball he top-edges for Mitchell March to take his first catch in Tests and give O'Keefe his first wicket in the longer format of the game. 

Asad Shafiq c Marsh b O'Keefe 89 (151b 5x4 2x6)

It's drinks break after lunch and Sarfraz is going great guns on 79 and Shafiq is on 83. Pak 409-5 in 133 overs.

The aggressive Sarfraz pulls Smith for three fours and thats the 100-run partnership between him and Shafiq in quick time. Pak 404-5 in 132 overs.

Pak coasting along nicely at 372-5 in 127 overs.

Breezy 50 from Sarfraz which has seven hits to the fence. 

Sarfraz hits Siddle for back-to-back fours bringing up the 50-run partnership with Shafiq in 59 balls. Pak 340-5 in 122 overs.

MORNING SESSION

Half centuries from captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq guided Pakistan to 328 for 5 at lunch on the second day of the first Test match against Australia at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

Resuming on his overnight score of 34, Misbah seemed set for another big knock when he reached his 50, but just as he looked settled he was tempted by a loose ball from Steven Smith and the Pakistan skipper holed out to Mitchell Johnson at mid-on.

Shafiq, sensing that this is his chance to stamp his place in the squad, batted with caution and came unstuck at lunch on 56. Giving him good company was Sarfraz Ahmed with a brisk 27 from 18 balls with four boundaries.

In all it was Pakistan's session having put on 109 runs for the loss of their skipper. 

Shafiq carries on despite Misbah's exit to notch his 10th half century in 47 innings.

Australia get the breakthrough. Misbah is tempted by a loosener from occasional leg-spin bowler Steven Smith and holes out to Johnson at mid on. Pak 305-5 in 113 overs.

Misbah-ul-Haq c Johnson b Smith 69 (182b 2x4 2x6)

Pak 287-4 in 11 overs.

Misbah has taken a few blows on his body from Siddle and Marsh but he battles on slapping Marsh through point for four. Pak 271-4 in 107 overs.

Pak 267-4 in 105 overs and thats the drinks break.

After three maiden overs, Misbah and Asad bring up their 50-run fifth wicket partnership off 115 balls. Pak 253-4 in 100 overs.

Misbah sweeps Lyon to dee[ square leg to bring up his 26th fifty in 85 Test innings.

Pak 241-4 in 95 overs.

With Johnson bowling maidens,  Misbah and Asad have decided to go after Lyon, spanking him fr plenty of runs.

Misbah pulls Lyon for a six over long on. Pak 229-4 in 92 overs. 

Johnson comes up with a tidy maiden first over on Day 2.

Pakistan will be hoping Misbah-ul-Haq plays a captain's knock in order to put them in the saddle after they resume the second day of the first Test on 219-4. Australia, on the other hand, will be looking to Mitchell Johnson to get some early breakthroughs and restrict Pakistan to within 300 runs. Catch all the action at the Dubai International Stadium her.

FIRST DAY RECAP

Veteran batsman Younis Khan Wednesday said he was proud to become the first Pakistani to score a hundred against all nine Test opponents and equalling the record of most hundreds for his country.

The 36-year-old scored a brilliant 106 to help Pakistan recover from a precarious 7-2 to 219-4 at close on the opening day of the Test at Dubai International Stadium.

This was Younis's first hunded against Australia, making him the first Pakistani and 12th batsmen overall to score a hundred against all Test opponents.

It was his 25th Test hundred, equalling Pakistan's record held by Inzamam-ul Haq. Younis said he felt nice about achieving the honour.

“The feeling is very nice, it's an honour and I feel proud to become the first Pakistani to score against all countries,” said Younis after the match.

Before Younis, Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis of South Africa, Sri Lanka's Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, Australia's Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist, India's Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid and West Indian Brian Lara had achieved the feat.

Younis scored a brilliant 177 against Sri Lanka in August, a point where he started to chase the rare honour.

“It was never in my mind before but when I scored a hundred in Sri Lanka it came on my mind, when I equalled (Mohammad) Yousuf's record of 24 then it came to my mind that I have no hundreds against Australia and then equalling the great Inzamam's record, it's even a bigger honour to be equal with him,” said Younis.

Dropped for the preceding 3-0 one-day defeat against Australia, Younis said it has not always been easy during his career.

“It's never been easy for me throughout my career,” said Younis, who made his debut in 2000.

“Things keep going against me but all the time I play for my country and whenever my team needs me I go there and play positive cricket with positive body language and it was in my mind that if I do something here I will be a proud Pakistani,” said Younis, who believed a 400-plus total would help Pakistan.

“I think 400 plus would be vey nice but its not going to be easy and as a unit the Australians are very tough,” said Younis.

Paceman Mitchell Johnson, Australia's best bowler with 3-22, praised Younis.

“We toiled really well and used the conditions really well. The two early breakthroughs and we tied it up throughout the game but Younis batted really well and really patiently, when he had the opportunity to score,” said Johnson.