Late slump costs Aussies

– Hard-working fast bowler Mohammad Abbas took three wickets in seven balls to bring Pakistan closer to victory in the first Test against Australia yesterday.

The right-arm medium pacer dismissed Aaron Finch (49) and the Marsh brothers – Shaun and Mitchell – for ducks as Australia slumped from 87 without loss to finish the fourth day at 136/3.

At stumps opener Usman Khawaja was batting on a fighting 50 and Travis Head on 34 as the pair had added an invaluable 49 for the unbroken fourth wicket stand to prolong Australia’s resistance on a weary and spinning Dubai stadium pitch.

Pakistan will need seven more wickets while Australia require another 326 runs for an improbable victory to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

The second Test starts in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

It was an action replay of the first innings as Australian openers put on 87 – they made 142 in their total of 202 on Tuesday – as Finch was trapped leg-before soon after tea with a sharp incoming delivery from Abbas.

Two balls later Abbas had the elder Marsh caught behind and in his next over trapped Mitchell right in front. – AFP

Dubai