25 Oct 2014

Pakistan in control against Australia

2:36 pm on 25 October 2014

Australia could be facing a second successive Test defeat against Pakistan after the host team dominated day three of the first Test in Dubai.

David Warner of Australia celebrates after scoring a century.

David Warner of Australia celebrates after scoring a century. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Michael Clarke's men were bowled out for 303, fumbling their chance to post a competitive reply to Pakistan's first innings of 454 after resuming on 113 without loss.

Pakistan will resume on 38 without loss in their second innings, an overall lead of 189.

Apart from David Warner's brilliant 133, Chris Rogers (38), Steve Smith (22) and debutant Mitchell Marsh (27) all failed to capitalise on getting starts among Australia's top six.

Debutant legspinner Yasir Shah took 3-66 while left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar and paceman Rahat Ali each took two wickets.

Australia won 13 of the past 14 Tests against Pakistan. The previous loss came in their most recent clash in July 2010 in England, where Pakistan chased down a target of 180 with three wickets in hand.

The departures on Friday of Smith before lunch, and Warner in the first over after the break, triggered Australia's middle-order collapse of 5-61.

When Warner was bowled by Yasir at 5-207, he'd scored more almost two-thirds of Australia's runs.

The 27-year-old joins Adam Gilchrist as the only Australia batsmen to hit three successive Test hundreds since Don Bradman in 1948.

Warner struck 11 fours and two sixes off 174 balls.

Earlier, Rogers chopped a ball from paceman Rahat Ali onto his stumps, ending a 128-run opening stand with Warner.

Alex Doolan was run out for five and Michael Clarke was caught at bat-pad for two against left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar.

Brad Haddin hit 22 and Marsh scored 27 before Peter Siddle was out for a duck at 8-267.

Mitchell Johnson (37) and Steve O'Keefe (six) added 32 for the ninth wicket.

Australia's middle-order dramas have left them with a major deficit on the first innings on a

pitch that could prove troublesome for batting on days four and five.