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28 March 2024

Pakistan vs Australia 1st Test Day 4: Pakistan scent win

Pakistani batsman Younis Khan plays a shot during the fourth day of the first test cricket match between Pakistan and Australia at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on October 25, 2014. (AFP)

Published
By Cricket Correspondent & Agencies

Pakistan's spinners scythed through Australia's top order in the second innings to get them close to victory in the first test after twin centuries from Younis Khan and youngster Ajmal Shehzad helped the hosts set an improbable target.

Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar and debutant leg-spinner Yasir Shah took two wickets each as Australia crawled to 59 for four wickets at the close of play, after being set 438 to win.

David Warner (29), who had scored 133 in the first innings, and Alex Doolan (zero) fell in the same over to Babar while Shah took out Australia captain Michael Clarke (three) and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon (zero) -- also in one over.

Chris Rogers (23), the other opener, was given out caught behind on 14 against Babar but managed to overturn the decision on referral and remained unbeaten. Steve Smith was the other not out batsman on three.

Younis, who had scored 106 in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 103 in the second for his 26th test hundred to overtake Inzamam-ul-Haq as the most prolific century-getter by a Pakistan batsman.

He also became the first batsman in 40 years, since New Zealander Glenn Turner in 1974, to hit twin centuries in a test match against Australia.

Pakistan declared on 286 for two and as soon as former captain Younis crossed his mark, ending the ordeal for Australia's bowlers who looked toothless.

Debutant spinner Steve O'Keefe took both wickets to fall.

The 22-year-old opener Shehzad (131) also completed his second test century and added 168 for the second wicket with Younus, who hit six fours and two sixes in his knock.

With the pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium offering assistance to the spinners, scoring runs freely proved a tough ask for the Pakistan batsmen in the first session.

Shehzad and Azhar Ali (30) added 71 in their opening stand before the latter edged O'Keefe to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who held on to a smart catch.

Right-hander Shehzad, playing his sixth test match, survived a fiery spell from left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson in the first session, during which he was hit on the rib cage by a sharp, rising delivery.

Shehzad, who hit 10 boundaries and four sixes in his knock, was hardly troubled otherwise and reached his century with a sublime straight-driven four off fast bowler Peter Siddle.

Pakistan upped their tempo as Shehzad looked for quick runs after going past his hundred and hit Siddle for a boundary and two sixes in consecutive deliveries during an over that cost the bowler 20 runs.

Shehzad was the only other Pakistan batsman to be dismissed on Saturday when he was out leg before to O'Keefe.

LAST SESSION

Australia are 59 for four in 23 overs as stumps are drawn for the fourth day. The visitors have a big task on hand with still needing 379 runs to chase while Pakistan need six wickets for a win.

Nightwatchman Lyon does not serve the purpose as he too departs for a duck. Yasir Shah is bowling a brilliant spell. Aus 49-4 16.5 overs.

Nathan Lyon lbw b Yasir Shah 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Australia is serious trouble as they los another big wicket of Clarke. The Pakistan spinners doing a great job here as Yasir Shah traps him in front. Aus 49-3 in 16.2 overs.

Michael Clarke lbw b Yasir Shah 3 (9b 0x4 0x6)

Australia in trouble here as they lose another quick wicket. Doolan departs for a duck with Babar claiming his second wicket in the same over. Pak 44-2 in 14 overs.

Alex Doolan lbw b Zulfiqar Babar 0 (5b 0x4 0x6)

Pakistan bag the big wicket removing the dangerman Warner. Great bowling from Babar as Warner is brilliantly stumped by Ahmed. Pak 44-1 in 13.1 overs.

David Warner st Sarfraz Ahmed b Zulfiqar Babar 29 (27b 3x4 0x6)

Warner playing an aggressive start with 10 runs coming off Rahat Ali's over. Aus 16-0 in 2 overs.

Rogers and Warner open for Australia. They have a big task on hand and need a strong partnership.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

The declaration has come immediately after Younus ton setting Australia a target of 438. 

Younus Khan rushes to his century. Yet another great knock for Pakistan. He showed lot of aggression the previous few overs. That's his 26th Test century as he becomes the leading century scorer in Tests for Pakistan. Pak 286-2 in 78 overs.

A brilliant innings of 131 comes to an end as Shehzad departs after being lbw off O'Keefe bowling. Pak 239-1 in 71.3 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad lbw b O'Keefe 131 (233b 10x4 4x6)

AFTERNOON SESSION

Pakistan have a healthy lead of 383 when they head to tea with Shehzad batting on 128 while Younus Khan on 67. Pak 231-1 in 70 overs.

The signal is clear to get as many runs possible quickly. Shehzad hammers two sixes and a boundary to get 20 runs off Siddle's over. Pak 214-1 in 66 overs.

Superb century from Ahmed Shehzad. He took 208 balls to get there supported by three boundaries and a six. Pakistan have a lead of 340 runs. Pak 189-1 in 64 overs.

The century partnership between Younus Khan and Shehzad comes up for the second wicket. It's put Pakistan in a fine position. Pak 171-1 in 60 overs.

Shehzad gets aggressive. He races to 86 with a boundary and a six off O'Keefe bowling. Pak 164-1 in 57 overs.

Shehzad and Younus Khan continue to frustrate the Australian bowlers. Shehzad on 63 while Khan reaches 34. Pak 132-1 in 47 overs.

MORNING SESSION

A sluggish first session from Pakistan batsmen as they manage to reach 116 for one in 44 overs ensuring a lead of 267.

Shehzad batting on 55, while Younis Khan on 26.

Younis Khan smashes a rare six off Lyon as Pakistan reach 116-1 in 44 overs.

A fine but slow half century from Shehzad as he consumes 128 balls to reach 50 including four boundaries. Pak 95-1 in 37 overs.

Shehzad batting on 41. But their approach has been a tad slow. Pak 83-1 in 31 overs.

Australia get their first wicket. Brilliant take from 'keeper Haddin. This should give Australia the momentum. Pak 71-1 in 24.4 overs.

Azhar Ali c Haddin b O'Keefe 30 (65b 4x4 0x6)

Shehzad reaches a well made 35 while Ali is on 23. Pak 59-0 in 21 overs.

Pakistan openers are in the middle set for a long haul. They would be keen to get a big lead as quickly as possible.

THIRD DAY RECAP

Scars re-opened on a dusty pitch in Bulawayo in August bled profusely on day three of the first Test against Pakistan as Australia's batsmen showed a familiar vulnerability to tight spin bowling on slow wickets.

 
Having sailed to 128 without loss, Australia crumbled against an inexperienced Pakistani attack in Dubai on Friday to fall 151 runs short of the hosts' first innings total of 454 and leave their hopes of victory and top test ranking in jeopardy.
 
With Pakistan's leading spinner Saeed Ajmal serving a ban for an illegal action, a slow bowling unit featuring a debutant legspinner, a 35-year-old left-armer playing his third test and an all-rounder combined for six wickets, including four of Australia's specialist batsmen.
 
The collapse nullified the amount of work the visitors have put into trying to overcome their natural familiarity with the bounce and pace on wickets at home.
 
They have had no shortage of advice from specialist coaches and consultants, even drafting in record-holding test wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan for his insights.
 
The country's cricket board also built an artificial pitch in Brisbane to help their batsmen deal with spin bowling on slow, low wickets.
 
The visitors' hapless performance in Dubai, however, echoed of the display at Bulawayo on Aug. 31, where Australia lost their first one-day international match to Zimbabwe in 30 years after they were bamboozled by the hosts' unfancied spinners.
 
There, captain Michael Clarke lamented Australia's continued struggles against slow bowling and demanded his batsmen find a way to get past it.
 
On Friday, Clarke was in no position to point the finger, having been deceived by the left arm orthodox spin of 35-year-old Zulfiqar Babar and dismissed for two runs after a tentative defensive prod edged a catch in close.
 
Opener David Warner was also beaten by spin after being "too cute" with a shorter delivery from debutant legspinner Yasir Shah, but had by then scored 133 runs in a typically belligerent knock to notch his third test ton in as many innings.
 
Alarmingly for Australia, the Dubai pitch was largely benign, offering little turn for the Pakistan bowlers, who clinched their wickets by working a disciplined line and effectively waited for their opponents to get themselves out.
 
"I think the wicket's been the same since day one," Warner told reporters. "Very consistent, it's coming through nice with the new ball and obviously it slows up for a little bit when the spin comes into play.
 
"Obviously you've got to be disciplined.
 
"There's a bit of turn there but it's turn that's outside the areas (close to the wicket). Bowlers are going to have pitch it out wide and it's easier for us to sweep as batsmen rather than be defensive."
 
In the form of his life, Warner was furious with himself after giving up his wicket to a ball that begged to be despatched over the fence but the 27-year-old at least showed his team mates the power of a positive approach.
 
"It's not easy because it's hard to come in and get set from ball one," said Warner, who nullified the spinners' threat by playing them off the back foot.
 
"The fields, how they're set are quite hard to score and you've got to be able to bat time out there and that's what you have to do.
 
"If you get yourself in, in the right frame of mind, you can bat for long periods of time. It's the initial period you get yourself in."