Australia are 1/22 in reply to Pakistan’s mammoth total of 6/570 declared on day two of the second test in Abu Dhabi. Captain Misbah Ul-Haq called time in the afternoon session after his own century and double-century to veteran Younis Khan.
The Australian bowling attack had to endure another day of hot weather and sublime batting. Playing comfortably on the Abu Dhabi wicket, the Pakistan batsmen set about posting runs quickly on day two.
The Australians struggled in the field again as catching chances were not taken. David Warner dropped a sitter in slip and Brad Haddin put down a crisp chance, diving to is right.
Haddin left the field with an injured shoulder and Warner donned the gloves. Unfortunately, the stand-in keeper was soon put to the test, missing a good stumping chance to remove Khan. He redeemed himself, diving to his left and catching Azhar Ali down the leg side for 109.
The day was about the batsmen. Captain Ul-Haq strode to the crease and made his confidence clear to the bowlers. He smashed 101 from 168 balls, establishing an already dominant lead for his side.
Haddin had returned to his post after lunch but was still showing signs that his shoulder was giving him a lot of pain. Steve Smith took the pressure off his keeper momentarily, catching Ul-Haq (101) off his own bowling.
The Australians have already done a mountain of fielding in the Emirates this tour, and did not waste much energy in celebrating the wicket of the Pakistan captain.
Younis Khan pushed past a career total of 8000 runs and brought up is 200 moments later. The stand-out batsman of the series has 422 runs across three innings, the most by any batsman against Australia in a two-test series.
Peter Siddle picked up the wicket of Khan (213) and Starc, the only man to take more than 1 wicket in the innings, claimed Asad Shafiq for 21. Ul-Haq declared a few overs later and the Aussies were thrown on the wicket for the final overs of the day.
Bad light meant that there were only 5 overs bowled at the Australians and Chris Rogers was not able to last. The opener nicked a regulation fast ball through to the keeper on 5.
Night-watchman Nathan Lyon did last as Warner smashed a few boundaries (16). The Australians are up against it, having to bat well for the remaining three days to pull off an unlikely win, a more comprehensible draw and to avoid another devastating loss.
There may be a few prayers from the Australians for a ‘Shamal’ sandstorm to force a stop to play. Pakistan spin will be the torment of day three in what will be a clutch challenge for the Aussie Test Team.
