Pakistan vs Australia 2nd Test Day 2: Zaman extends Pakistan’s lead to 281 after Abbas’ five-for

Fakhar Zaman 66 Pakistan Australia 2nd Test Day 2 Abu Dhabi cricket

Fakhar Zaman followed up his 94 in the first innings with a brilliant 66

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Pakistan debutant Fakhar Zaman scored 66 to push his side’s lead to 281 after pace bowler Mohammad Abbas carved through Australia’s batting line-up with a five-wicket haul on the second day in Abu Dhabi.

Starting off the day on 20/2, Australia only added 16 runs to their overnight score before Shaun Marsh was caught by Haris Sohail at first slip off the bowling of Abbas for three runs.

Travis Head failed to have an impact with the bat either as he was caught by Asad Shafiq at second slip off the bowling of Abbas for 14.

Mitchell Marsh fared no better as he was caught by Shafiq at first slip off the bowling of Yasir Shah for 13.

Aaron Finch, who opened the batting, managed to score 39 before he was caught by Zaman at short leg off the bowling of Bilal Asif.

Australia captain Tim Paine was only able to muster three runs before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Asif.

Paine opted to review the decision, but replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to clip leg stump.

Marnus Labuschagne was the next to go as he was run out by Yasir for 25.

Nathan Lyon was cleaned up by Asif for two runs before Australia were bowled out for 145, which gave Pakistan a 137-run lead, when Mitchell Starc was trapped lbw off the bowling of Abbas for 34.

Starc was not given out initially, but Pakistan decided to review the decision. Their gamble paid off as replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to hit middle and leg stump.

Abbas was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets, while Asif snapped up three and Yasir chipped in with one.

Mohammad Abbas five wickets Pakistan Australia 2nd Test Day 2 Abu Dhabi cricket

Mohammad Abbas finished with figures of 5-33 off 12.4 overs

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

With a 137-run lead in hand, Pakistan made a poor start to their second innings as opener Mohammad Hafeez was caught by Head at short cover off the bowling of Starc for six runs.

Zaman and Azhar Ali made up for the early loss of Hafeez with a 91-run partnership, during which Zaman brought up his half-century.

Zaman ended up making 66 off 83 balls, which included seven boundaries, before he was caught and bowled by Lyon.

Azhar and Sohail added 38 runs to the score, during which Azhar registered his fifty, before stumps was called.

Azhar Ali 54 Pakistan Australia 2nd Test Day 2 Abu Dhabi cricket

Azhar Ali struck three boundaries during his unbeaten knock of 54

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Azhar finished on 54 off 119 balls, which included three boundaries, while Sohail remained undefeated on 17.

Starc and Lyon claimed one wicket each.

Pakistan ended day two on 144/2 and will continue batting on Thursday at 10:00 local time or 06:00 GMT.

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