David Warner’s blazing half-century ensured Australia ended in a strong position against Pakistan on Day Two of the first Test at Dubai. On a day that belonged to the batsmen — indeed, over 350 runs were scored on Day Two when only 219 were scored on Day One — the Pakistani bowlers toiled hard but to no avail.
Warner and Chris Rogers ensured that Pakistan’s 454-run total didn’t prove to be too daunting, as the pair managed to eat into the score enough to trail by 341 runs without losing a wicket. Warner’s unbeaten 75 came off just 77 balls, while Rogers’ 31 took him 110 deliveries.
Earlier, Sarfaraz Ahmed’s tremendous century ensured that Pakistan reached 454 for eight at Tea. They were soon bowled out though, as Australia batted for almost the whole of the final session. Steve O’Keefe grabbed two wickets to finally open his account in Test cricket. Asad Shafiq continued his good form, scoring a hard-fought 89 till he became O’Keefe’s first Test wicket. However, the session belonged to Sarfaraz, who hammered 14 boundaries en route to a terrific 109 to propel Pakistan to a commanding total of 454 when he was dismissed.
Misbah-ul-Haq, Shafiq, Sarfaraz. In 28 overs, they scored an impressive 109 for the loss of just one wicket to put the match firmly in their control. Pakistan started the day on a middling 219 for four after spending much of Day One stonewalling the bowling in an attempt to survive. When Misbah started in similar fashion facing a maiden over from Johnson, it seemed that the strategy would continue again. However, Misbah attacked Nathan Lyon, hoisting the off-spinner over midwicket for a big six to stamp his authority on the spinner.
While Johnson sent down a flurry of maidens at one end, Shafiq and Misbah kept the runs churning against the spinners. Debutant Stephen O’Keefe was hoisted over midwicket by Misbah, while Shafiq kept the runs coming with some sensible batting.
After facing some probing bowling and dominating the front-line spinners, Misbah was finally dismissed mis-hitting an innocuous delivery from Steve Smith to Mitchell Johnson at mid-on for 69. However, that brought Sarfaraz Khan to the middle, and the gutsy ‘keeper stroked his way to an 18-ball 27 by the break.
Pakistan had fought back brilliantly on Day One after a poor first session to reach 219 for four at Stumps. Younis Khan and Azhar Ali ensured that Pakistan enjoyed no success for the better part of the post-lunch session, as they clamped down and surged forward. After Tea, it was Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq who led the show. Younis went on to score a tremendous hundred, thereby reaching the distinction of having scored a hundred against all Test-playing nations.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 454 for 8 (Younis Khan 106, Sarfaraz Ahmed 109; Mitchell Johsnon 3 for 39) lead Australia 113 for 0 (David Warner 75*, Chris Rogers 31*) by 341 runs.
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