Aussies staring down the barrel

– Paceman Mohammad Abbas (above) registered a five-wicket haul to steer Pakistan into a dominating position in the second Test against Australia yesterday.

Abbas finished with five for 33 to 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 not out on 54 for his first half century in the series and Haris Sohail on 17.

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.

Earlier, Abbas and spinner Bilal Asif (3/23) wrecked Australia in their innings. It was Abbas’ third five-wicket haul in a burgeoning career of ten Tests.

Afer the Tests the teams will face off in a series of three Twenty20 internationals with the first set for Abu Dhabi on October 24. – AFP

Abu Dhabi