Australia are facing the prospect of being asked to follow-on against Pakistan after the tourists lost four wickets on the third morning of the second and final Test to slump to 120 for five at lunch in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Resuming on 22-1 after Pakistan had declared their first innings on 570-6, Australia lost David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith to find themselves staring at a heavy defeat at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Captain Michael Clarke (34) and Mitchell Marsh (eight) were at the crease with Australia still needing 251 runs to avoid the follow-on against a Pakistan team eyeing their first series win against the visitors in 20 years, having won the opening test in Dubai.
Warner, who had started Australia's reply with three fours in Imran Khan's first over on Friday, chased a short and wide Rahat Ali delivery to find the point fielder and depart on 19.
There was never any doubt about Maxwell's aggression but the 26-year-old could not assure he has the temperament to succeed at test level, that too at the crucial number three position, as he fell for a brisk 37 off 28 balls.
The right-hander stepped out to smash Zulfiqar Babar over the long-off boundary for a six and he charged out again to play against the spin and had his off-stump pegged back in the process.
Lyon survived several leg-before appeals and a couple of them were pretty close but Pakistan were not ready to waste reviews on a nightwatchman.
Rahat finally ended Lyon's 85-ball vigil, pushing one through his bat and pad to claim his second wicket.
Pakistan did not hesitate, however, to seek a review to dismiss the scoreless Smith, who was hit on the pad by a Babar delivery but the confident leg-before appeal was initially turned down.
Clarke was the only batsman to show positive intent as well as the temperament to offer some resistance to Pakistan's bowlers. – Reuters