Bilal Asif becomes 11th Pakistani to get five wickets on debut

DUBAI: Pakistan’s debutant off-spinner Bilal Asif led an Australian collapse with six wickets on the third day of the first Test in Dubai on Tuesday.

Asif became the 11th Pakistani bowler to get five wickets in a Test inning, fetching the third best figures with 6-36 against Australia.

The 33-year-old helped Pakistan derail Australia from a solid 142-0 to 202 all out on the second day in the first test, just behind Mohammad Zahid 7-66 against New Zealand at Rawalpindi in 1994 and 7-99 by Mohammad Nazir against New Zealand in Karachi in 1969.

The other bowlers to achieve this milestone include Arif Butt (6-89), Tanvir Ahmed (6-120), Shahid Afridi (5-52), Shahid Nazir (5-53), Wahab Riaz (5-63), Yasir Arafat (5-161), Mohammad Zahid (7-66), Shabbir Ahmed (5-48) and Mohammad Sami (5-36).

Moreover, Mohammad Abbas also shined during the first inning for Pakistan as he dismissed four Australian batsmen for 29 runs. Yasir Shah, whom Australia were considering the major threat, remained wicketless.

Pakistan managed to gain a lead of 280 runs as they dismissed the Kangaroos on 202 runs against their 482 runs in the first inning.

The 33-year-old took his wickets off 22 balls as Australia slumped from a solid opening stand of 142-0 to be struggling on 180-5 at tea on a Dubai stadium pitch which has started to take a sharp turn.

The second session too belonged to Asif, who dismissed Usman Khawaja (85), Shaun Marsh (seven), Travis Head (nought) and Marnus Labuschagne (nought) in the space of 29 runs.