Talha, Raza dismiss Australia cheaply in second knock

SHARJAH: Skipper Michael Clarke failed again as Australia lost a four-day warm-up game against Pakistan ´A´ by 153 runs in Sharjah on Saturday.

Clarke, who is recovering from a hamstring injury and needed some batting practice ahead of Wednesday´s first Test against Pakistan in Dubai, managed just five off as many balls before he was bowled by left-arm paceman Rahat Ali on the fourth and final day at Sharjah stadium.

Clarke made just ten in the first innings but not much can be read into Australia´s loss as the match was meant for practice only.

Australia, chasing 339 to win were bowled out for 185 in their second innings with paceman Mohammad Talha (3-32) and left-arm spinner Raza Hasan (3-60) destroying Australia´s plans for some useful practice.

Pakistan ´A´ had made 305-8 declared and 306-3 declared in their two innings.

Australia had made 273-8 declared in their first knock.

Also failing in both the innings was opener Chris Rogers who followed his first-ball duck with three in the second outing before he was run out.

But the other opener, Phil Hughes, made 65, fit-again Mitchell Marsh scored 35 and tail-ender Peter Siddle hit 41 as Australia lost their last seven wickets for just 68 runs.

Ali (2-36), likely to spearhead Pakistan´s pace attack in the first Test with Talha, was also impressive.

Brief scores:
Pakistan ´A´ 305-8 dec (Asad Shafiq 108 not out; S. O´Keefe 3-76) and 306-3 declared (Babar Azam 114 not out, Haris Sohail 103 not out; N. Lyon 2-49)

Australia 273-8 dec (A. Doolan 104, S. Smith 58) and Australia 185 all out (P. Hughes 65, P. Siddle 41, M. Marsh 35 ; Mohammad Talha 3-32; Raza Hasan 3-60) (AFP)