Abu Dhabi: Medium pacer Mohammad Abbas (5/33) registered a five-wicket haul to steer Pakistan into a dominating position in the second Test against Australia here, Wednesday.
Abbas spell helped Pakistan bowl out Australia for a paltry 145 to give Pakistan a 137-run lead in the first innings on the second day at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Pakistan stretched that lead to 281 as they were 144 for two at close, with Azhar Ali (54 batting, 119b, 3×4) and Haris Sohail (17 batting) at the crease. With eight wickets in hand Pakistan were in a great position to force a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after the first Test ended in a fighting draw in Dubai last week.
But it was once again debutant Fakhar Zaman (66, 83b, 7×4) who lifted Pakistan with a brilliant half century following up his 94 in the first innings. Mitchell Starc (1/22) and Nathan Lyon (1/59) took the wickets for the visitors.
Earlier, Abbas and spinner Bilal Asif (3/23) wrecked Australian innings. Abbas had Shaun Marsh (three) and Travis Head (14) before wrapping up the innings by trapping Starc (34, 45b, 1×4, 2×6) leg-before. This becomes Abbas’s third five-wicket haul in a burgeoning career of ten Tests.
Brief scores: Pakistan 282 & 144/2 (Fakhar Zaman 66, Azhar Ali 54 batting); Australia 145 (Aaron Finch 39; Mohammad Abbas 5/33, Bilal Asif 3/23). Match to continue.