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28 March 2024

Pakistan vs Australia 1st Test Day 3: Pakistan in control despite Warner ton

David Warner Australia A celebrates his century during day 1 of the 1st Test against South Africa A at Tuks Oval on July 24, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (GETTY)

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By Cricket Correspondent & Agencies

David Warner's third consecutive Test century could not stop Pakistan from taking control of the first Test against Australia on Friday after the tourists squandered a strong start and were all out for 303 in their first innings.

From 128 for no loss, Australia lost four wickets in the extended morning session and as many in the next before collapsing in the final session, 151 runs short of Pakistan's first innings total.

An inexperienced Pakistan attack, led by debutant leg-spinner Yasir Shah (3-66), made excellent use of the slow and turning track at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, something their Australian counterparts could not exploit.

Warner made a 174-ball 133, which included 11 boundaries, but he got little support from his team mates and it was Mitchell Johnson's defiant 37 down the order that helped Australia edge past the 300-mark.

Pakistan were 38 without loss at stumps in their second innings, an overall lead of 189 runs, when bad light stopped play with Ahmed Shehzad (22) and Azhar Ali (16) in the middle.

It was a poor batting display by Australia, especially their middle order, who all failed to build on their good starts.

After Pakistan had lost both their openers cheaply on Wednesday, the next five batsmen contributed two centuries and three half-centuries to power them to a strong total of 454.

For Australia, Steve Smith (22), Mitchell Marsh (27) and Brad Haddin (22) all fell just as they looked like settling in, while skipper Michael Clarke's return from a hamstring injury proved disappointing.

The ball did turn and reverse, but there was no sign of Australia's impending collapse until Chris Rogers (38) dragged a Rahat Ali delivery onto his stumps.

The bowler was involved in the next dismissal as well when he ran out Alex Doolan (five) with a direct hit from mid-on.

Clarke's stay was even shorter, tentatively offering a bat-pad catch to Azhar Ali at short leg off left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar after making two runs.

Warner brought up his ninth test hundred with a cover driven boundary off Imran Khan, before leaping for joy to celebrate.

He added 48 runs with Smith, who fell an over before the lunch break, which was delayed due to Friday prayers.

Smith looked solid, but failed to keep his cut shot down to and gave Shah his first test wicket.

Australia's two specialist spinners, Nathan Lyon and Steve O'Keefe, who bled 255 runs for four first innings wickets between them, will have to put up an improved performance on Saturday if Australia are to fight back in the contest. 

AUSTRALIA INNINGS

The game ends slightly early with two over remaining due bad light. The day clearly belonged to Pakistan as they stay with a comfortable 189-run lead with all wickets intact entering the fourth day. Pak 38-0 in 13 overs.

Pakistan certainly don't want to lose any wickets and that's evident the way the openers are batting adopting a cautious approach. Pak 11-0 in 5 overs.

Shehzad and Ali open innings as Johnson begins Australia's attack. 

That's the last wicket of Australia as O'Keefe is departs. That gives Pakistan a lead of 151 runs which should give the hosts a good chance to take the upperhand in this Test. Aus 303 all out in 103.1 overs.

Steve O'Keefe c Misbah-ul-Haq b Yasir Shah 6 (47b 0x4 0x6)

Pakistan's Ali manages to end a threatening partnership as Johnson is gone holing a catch in the deep. Aus 299-8 in 102 overs.

Mitchell Johnson c sub (Shan Masood) b Rahat Ali 37 (62b 3x4 0x6)

Australia are 286 for eight in 97 overs. Mitchell Johnson is holding one end firm at 25 while O'Keefe is batting on 5. Aus 286-8 in 97 overs.

Australia were 282 for eight in 93 overs at tea.

Pakistan spinners dominated the show as they kept the pressure going to remove some quick wickets in the middle.

Mitchell Johnson is batting on 22 while Steve O'Keefe is on 4.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Hafeez picks up his first wicket as Siddle misses it completely attempting a sweep. Aus 267-8 in 88 overs.

Peter Siddle lbw b Mohammad Hafeez 0 (4b 0x4 0x6)

Marsh is gone via review. He was trapped in front by Babar but umpire Erasmus was not impressed. Misbah's decision to go for a review worked. Aus 262-7 in 86.4 overs.

Mitchell Marsh lbw b Zulfiqar Babar 27 (61b 2x4 0x6)

Runs really not coming for the Aussies. They trail by 195 runs. with still a session left, Pakistan will be keen to wrap things up early. Aus 259-6 in 86 overs. 

The new ball works for Pakistan as Imran Khan rattles Haddin's stumps. Australia still ttrail by 205 runs. Aus 249-6 in 80.4 overs.

Brad Haddin b Imran Khan 22 (46b 2x4 1x6)

Pakistan take the second new ball as the partnerrship between Haddin and Marsh is going steady. Aus 248-5 in 80 overs.

Haddin batting on 20 while Marsh on 10. Aus 237-5 in 75 overs

Warner departs immediately after lunch. He has been good all morning. Aus 208-5 in 67 overs.

David Warner b Yasir Shah 133 (174b 11x4 2x6)

MORNING SESSION

Pakistan had a great first session picking up four wickets as Australia made 207-4 in 66 overs still trailing by 247 runs.

David Warner was rock solid as he remained unbeaten on 133.

Minutes before lunch Australia suffer another setback as Smith departs to give Yasir Shah his first international wicket. Aus 206-4 in 65 overs.

Steven Smith c Mohammad Hafeez b Yasir Shah 22 (44b 3x4 0x6)

Warner has slowed down a bit after the sudden fall of wickets. He is on 116 from 156 balls. Aus 182-3 in 60 overs.

Pakistan dominating the proceedings at the moment as they pick another important wicket of Clarke. Babar's tight spell is giving him results. He tries to defend and a thin edge from his bat is taken neatly by Azhar Ali at short leg. Aus 158-3 in 52.1 overs.

Michael Clarke c Azhar Ali b Zulfiqar Babar 2 (13b 0x4 0x6) 

Pakistan get another one as Doolan is run out. That should give Pakistan to rejig some strategy. Pak 151-2 in 49 overs 

Alex Doolan run out 5 (34b 0x4 0x6)

A stunning knock. David Warner gets 101 from 128 balls including eight boundaries and one sixes. 

Warner batting on 92 hile Doolan is yet to open his account playing 13 balls. Aus 137-1 in 43 overs.

Pakistan pick their first wicket as Rogers departs falling to Ali. Attempting to cut, he played on to his stumps. Australia 128-1 in 37.3 overs

Chris Rogers b Rahat Ali 38 (130b 1x4 0x6)

Warner taking his time to settle down. He is on 82 while Rogers is on 33. Aus 122-0 in 35 overs.

SECOND DAY RECAP

Sarfraz Ahmed's belligerent century powered Pakistan to a strong 454 in their first innings against Australia on Thursday.

The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman scored at breakneck pace, reaching his second Test century in 80 balls to make Australia regret their decision to go into the match with two specialist spinners.

Australia opening batsman David Warner gave a fitting reply with an unbeaten 75 off 77 balls to take the visitors to 113 without loss at stumps. Chris Rogers was the other unbeaten batsman on 31.

The stocky Warner survived some close leg-before shouts against the spinners early on in his innings but took the bowlers on after getting set.

The left-hander hit seven boundaries and a six while bringing up his sixth consecutive score of 50 or more.

Rogers survived a dropped chance with his score on 13 after his edge off left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar's third delivery went straight through the hands of Younus Khan at slip.

Earlier, Sarfraz had fallen, stumped off off-spinner Nathan Lyon, after a 105-ball 109 when tea was called with Babar (seven) at the other end and PAKISTAN on 454 for eight.

Babar, who had his finger cut by a vicious Mitchell Johnson delivery, did not return to bat after tea and Pakistan lasted two deliveries after the break without adding to their score.

After their openers fell cheaply on Wednesday, the subsequent five Pakistan batsmen helped themselves to three fifties and two centuries against a lacklustre Australian attack.

Their comfort level against the Australian spinners was evident from the fact that Lyon and his left-arm spin partner Steve O'Keefe conceded 255 runs between them for the four wickets they shared.

Misbah-ul-Haq (69) and Asad Shafiq (89) dominated the morning session, which yielded 109 runs from 28 overs after Pakistan had resumed on 219 for four.

Part-time spinner Steve Smith removed rival captain Misbah for Australia's only success in the first session as Pakistan carefully negotiated the Australian pace bowlers while scoring the bulk of their runs off the spinners.

Misbah hit a single off Lyon to bring up his fifty before clearing his front foot to hit Smith over long-on boundary for his second six.

Australia finally got the breakthrough they were looking for when the Pakistan captain attempted the same shot off Smith only to find Johnson.

Shafiq fell when two Australian debutants collaborated, Mitchell Marsh pouching the top edge off O'Keefe's bowling.

Sarfraz batted in limited-overs fashion to reach 90 before hitting Marsh for two boundaries in the same over to pass 100 and roar in celebration.

His entertaining knock, studded with 14 fours, ended when he stretched to play a sweep shot off Lyon only to miss the line, and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin removed the bails.