Bilal Asif's maiden 6-for mauls Australia, Pakistan extends lead to 325

Both the centurions of the previous innings lost their wickets without making their presence felt

After getting bullied by debutant Bilal Asif, the Australians made a terrific comeback in the second innings, scalping 3 Pakistani wickets before the end of 3^rd day’s play at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Taking a lead of 325 runs, Pakistan posted 45/3 in 16.2 overs. Opener Imam-ul-Haq was batting at 23 and is likely to be accompanied with Mohammad Abbas to begin the game on day 4.

Both the centurions of the previous innings lost their wickets without making their presence felt. The opening duo could only add 37 runs for the first wicket before Hafeez was removed by Jon Holland in the 13^th over.

Nathan Lyon struck right in the next over and sent Bilal packing for a 5-ball duck. Three overs later, Azhar Ali (4) turned was the next man to return to the dressing room after which the umpires called for stumps.

Earlier today,  Asif led to Australia’s collapse with his maiden six-wicket haul. The 33-year-old conceded just 36 runs off 21.3 overs (including 7 maidens) while Mohammad Abbas scalped 4 wickets from his 19 overs to bowl out the Aussie guests for 202 in 83.3 overs. At the same time, Pakistan took a massive lead of 280 runs.

At the break, Mitchell Marsh was ten not out and skipper Tim Paine on six, as Australia are still 302 runs behind Pakistan's first innings total of 482 and need another 103 runs to avoid the follow-on. It was a total contrast from the pre-lunch session when Australia - resuming at 30/0 - reached 137 without loss with both Usman Khawaja and debutant Aaron Finch defying Pakistani spinners during their resistance-packed stand.

But the second session belonged to Asif, who dismissed Usman Khawaja (85), Shaun Marsh (7), Travis Head (0) and Marnus Labuschagne (0) in the space of 29 runs. Khawaja hit eight fours before miscuing a premeditated sweep and was caught at short leg while Finch had five boundaries and a six in his knock.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah was unlucky not to be amongst wickets, having dropped Mitchell Marsh off his own bowling for two and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed missing a stump in the first session with Khawaja on 17.

Earlier in the day Finch was more confident as he punched two boundaries and a six off Yasir before sweeping Asif for a boundary to reach his half-century.