Abbas’ triple puts Pakistan in driver’s seat
Dubai, UAE - Pakistan put itself seven wickets away from a third straight Test victory over Australia in the UAE, after taking three wickets after tea on the fourth day of the first Test on Wednesday. Having set Tim Paine's men 462 to win, it landed three body blows to Australian aspirations of seeing out the 137 overs they need to survive.
All three wickets were claimed by the unstylish brilliance of Mohammad Abbas within 12 balls of each other when the score reached 87 - Australia's version of the unlucky number 13.
Usman Khawaja once again displayed his desire and commitment to be an integral part of the Australian Test squad looking ahead, finishing the day unbeaten on a steely half-century.
As was the chase in the first innings, Australia's openers continue to lead the resistance against a Pakistan surge. Khawaja and Aaron Finch picked up where they left off after their 142-run stand was broken on Tuesday, adding 87 for the first wicket.
Aside from four overs at the top by Abbas, who was his consistent, probing self, the spinners operated for almost the entirety of the session before tea.
But the Australian openers were wise to their wile, picking Bilal Asif early - perhaps even out of the hand - and their footwork did not let them down.
Abbas, always unsung but perpetually impressive, ensured the day would still firmly be Pakistan's, with a spell of fast bowling so unerringly accurate even the Dubai surface could not help but reward him with wickets.
Finch, who he had worked over with phenomenal forbearance in the first innings, once again succumbed to a similar delivery. Straight and tailing in, this one clattered into his pads a little quicker and sharper than the opener had been expecting. It trapped him dead in front.
Two balls later, Shaun Marsh poked at one that seamed away, giving Sarfraz Ahmed an easy catch, while his brother Mitchell was trapped in front in much the same way as Finch.
Both failed to trouble the scorers, but Travis Head stepped up to the occasion and put together an unbeaten 61-run partnership with Khawaja. For Australia, though, the work is less than half done. It must bat out at least 90 overs if it is to avoid defeat here.
Pakistan's declaration came eight overs after lunch, when Shafiq holed out with Pakistan's lead at 461, attempting to launch Nathan Lyon over the midwicket.
Any hopes Australia may have had of running through Pakistan this morning were dashed by a sedate, sensible partnership between Imam-ulHaq (48) and Haris Sohail (39). The pair guided its team out of the slightly uncomfortable overnight score of 45 for three with a 65-run partnership.
Holland and Marnus Labaschugne dismissed the Imam-Haris pair in quick succession, but with the lead having surpassed 450, Pakistan was well on its way. The fall of the pair brought Asad Shafiq (41) and Babar Azam (28) together, and the duo maintained the tempo before the declaration.