Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd Test: Aussies look to second spinner after Rawalpindi stalemate

The historic occasion -- Australia's first Test in Pakistan since 1998 -- was marred by a pitch described as "dead" by vice-captain Steve Smith as Pakistan piled up 728 runs for the loss of just four wickets, and one of those was a run out. Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique both made maiden Test hundreds -- Imam scoring one in each innings -- while senior batsman Azhar Ali also passed three figures during five attritional days. The series now moves to Karachi's National Stadium, a favourite hunting ground for Pakistan, who have won 23 of the 43 Tests they have played there while losing only twice. Australia have never won in Karachi in eight attempts, losing five and drawing three.

With conditions sultry, the pitch is likely to help the slow bowlers, prompting Australia to rest at least one of their famed pace trio of captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. "From our intel in Karachi and Lahore, a second spinner is probably the way to go but we'll have a look," said Cummins, hinting that leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson, 28, could make his Test debut alongside veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon. "Just about everyone got into the series," said Cummins, whose side made 459 in their only innings in Rawalpindi without anyone making a century. "All the batters got some runs. We're still feeling relatively fresh going into the game." Pace bowler Hasan Ali, who missed the first Test through injury, is likely to replace Naseem Shah for the hosts. But Faheem Ashraf, who missed the first Test through injury, has now been sidelined with Covid. Left-arm spinner Nauman Ali, who took a career best 6-107 in Rawalpindi, was Pakistan's match-winner in Karachi last year on debut against South Africa with seven wickets.