Dubai - Azhar Ali and Younus Khan both scored half-centuries to lead a Pakistan fightback after the hosts made a terrible start to the first test against Australia in Dubai on Wednesday.
Azhar made 53 and Younus 52 not out as the pair put on 108 for the third wicket. Pakistan lost both their openers before the total had reached double figures but recovered to reach 125 for three at tea on the opening day.
The experienced Younus was still at the crease with captain Misbah-ul-Haq unbeaten on eight.
Azhar drove paceman Mitchell Johnson in the air and was caught by Alex Doolan at cover for Australia's only success in the second session.
Johnson also struck in the first over of the match - hitting the toe of Mohammad Hafeez with a fast, inswinging yorker to dismiss the right-handed batsman for a duck.
Hafeez, returning from a hand injury that ruled him out of the One Day International series against the same opponents, reviewed the umpire's decision but was unsuccessful.
Peter Siddle, back in the Australian team after being dropped in South Africa earlier this year, then struck with the first delivery of his second over, and the fourth of the morning, when he bowled out Ahmed Shehzad for three.
Shehzad walked too far across his stumps as the ball crashed into his leg stump, reducing Pakistan to seven for two before Azhar and Younis started the recovery .
Pakistan, without banned off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, handed test debuts to fast bowler Imran Khan and leg-spinner Yasir Shah in a new-look bowling attack.
Australia also handed first caps to fast-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and left-arm bowler Steve O'Keefe, who paired up with Nathan Lyon in a two-pronged spin attack.
Australia will reclaim the world number one test ranking from South Africa with a 2-0 win over Pakistan, who host matches in the United Arab Emirates due to security concerns back home. – Reuters