Pakistan build healthy lead in Dubai

Cricket365
October 29, 2014

Pakistan were well on top at stumps on day three of the first Test in Dubai, sitting on 38 for none and holding a lead of 189, after negating David Warner’s century with some composed bowling.

Australia failed to last till the end of the day, as they were all out for 303 in the evening session, leaving Pakistan with a healthy lead of 151 runs going into their second dig.

Warner was the only real contributor for the Aussies, recording his third Test ton in a row and making 133. Aside from that, the next best knock was from Chris Rogers (38) and then Mitchell Johnson (37) as they fell short of the 454 required.

Warner was on 75 when the day began on 113/0, and Rogers was with him on 31. But the veteran opener was only able to add seven more runs to his tally, before being clean bowled by Rahat Ali.

Alex Doolan then came in and played a very scratchy knock, looking very out of sorts until he was run out, also by Rahat, for five. Skipper Michael Clarke followed soon afterwards, caught out for two.

This left Warner to continue his quest, leaping in the air as is his wont when scoring a ton, and Steve Smith was at the other end. Smith faced 44 balls for his 22, before being caught at point just before lunch, giving debutant Yasir Shah his first Test wicket.

The afternoon was even worse for the visitors, as Warner was out soon after the restart, bowled by Shah. This left Mitchell Marsh to bat with Brad Haddin, and they mounted a slight resistance, both making 20s.

Haddin was out catching the edge onto his stumps off Imran Khan, another debutant, for 22. Marsh then batted with Johnson and a string of reviews followed. Marsh was out soon after tea, for 27 on debut.

Johnson carried on with first Peter Siddle, but he was not long for the middle and was out for a duck, and then Steve O’Keefe. They batted for 14 overs together, frustrating the hosts in the evening, until Johnson fell for a tame pull shot he was baited into.

The innings ended when Shah claimed his third wicket, removing O’Keefe for six. The Aussie debutant had faced 47 balls, and Lyon was stranded on four not out.

Pakistan openers Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad had little trouble seeing out the 13 overs before the close, though one or two edges flew past the slips. Azhar was on 16 when bad light stopped play, and Shehzad on 22.