Pakistan keep Australia bowlers at bay in Lahore Test

Australia's middle order batsmen helped put the team in a position of strength before Pakistan batsmen kept the visiting bowlers at bay on the second day of the third Test in Lahore on Tuesday.

All-rounder Cameron Green and wicketkeeper Alex Carey hit fifties to help the Aussies post 391. Thereafter, Pakistan's batsmen dug in on a placid Gaddafi Stadium surface, reaching 90-1 by the end of the day's play.

Abdullah Shafique was batting on 45 and Azhar Ali 30 as the two took the home team safely to stumps after losing the wicket of Imam-ul-Haq for 11.

The 22-year-old Shafique and the experienced Azhar, playing his 94th Test but the first in his home city of Lahore, came together after Ul-Haq was out lbw by Pat Cummins and the two showed lot of patience to keep the probing Australian bowlers at bay.

The previous two pitches in the series offered next to nothing to the bowlers and the story continued in the decider, with a low and slow surface making run-scoring difficult and edges also barely carrying.

For the hosts, fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi bagged four wickets apiece as Pakistan dismissed the tourists for less than 400, which was a psychological victory.

The duo led a late charge that saw Pakistan pick up the last five wickets for 71 runs after the visitors returned from lunch at 320-5. Young quick Shah finished with 4-58 and experienced left-armer Afridi with 4-79.

In the morning session, Green (79) and Carey (67) frustrated Pakistan by adding an invaluable 135 for the sixth wicket. Pakistan were looking to make early inroads at the start of play with the second new ball only five overs in. But Australia, who resumed at 232-5, took advantage of a benign Gaddafi Stadium pitch to bat through 28 overs