ABU DHABI: Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez provided Pakistan with a firm opening partnership to take Pakistan to 82/1 at lunch in the second Test against Australia being played in Abu Dhabi.
Shehzad and Hafeez made a 57-run stand for the first wicket before Lyon caught Shehzad’s leg before wicket. Pakistan was looking for a victory push as captain Misbah-ul-Haq decided to bat first after winning the toss.
Pakistan retained the same 11 men who featured in their 221-run victory in the first Test, while Australia made two changes, dumping their two-pronged spin strategy that backfired in Dubai.
Paceman Mitchell Starc came in for left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe who bled 219 runs for his four wickets in the Dubai test.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who conceded 220 runs in Dubai for his two wickets, was the lone specialist spinner in the Australian side.
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who bowls off-spin, replaced number three batsman Alex Doolan who managed scores of five and zero in Dubai.
Pakistan will seek their first series win over Australia in 20 years.