Dubai: Pakistan took a firm grip on the first Test at the Dubai International Stadium, though Australia were not ready to go down without a fight, after the fourth day’s play on Wednesday.

Mohammad Abbas, who took four wickets in the first innings, struck thrice late in the second innings to push Australia from 87 for no loss to 136 for three by close.

Opener Usman Khawaja and Travis Head put on 49 runs for the fourth wicket in 18.2 overs, but to bat out a whole day on the fifth and final day or reaching the target seems impossible.

Khawaja is unbeaten on 50 off 120 balls, his second half century of the match, and is accompanied by Head unbeaten on 34, at the crease.

Australia will need another 326 runs to win while Pakistan need to take seven wickets more to go one up in the two match series.

Pakistan started the fourth day at 45 for three with a lead of 325. Harris Sohail and Imam Ul Haq played smoothly picking only the right balls to hit. The first aggressive shot of the day was a six from Sohail when he hit Jon Holland over long on.

Imam too bravely stepped out to hit Nathan Lyon over the extra cover for a boundary. Sohail hit Holland for another six over long on by stepping out and taking the ball on the middle of his bat. The pair put on 65 runs in 22.3 overs when Holland struck by getting Imam out with a ball that bounced more than expected and the batsmen playing it back into the hands of the bowler. Imam’s 48 off 104 balls had four boundaries.

Marnus Labuschagne trapped Sohail leg before for 39 with his leg break that spun more than expected. Babar Azam and Asaq Shafiq then took charge and at lunch, Pakistan were 155 for five with the lead swelling to 435 runs.

This partnership added 71 runs in 18.1 overs before Shafiq hit Lyon into the hands of Mitchell Marsh at deep-mid wicket for 41 (56 balls, three boundaries and one six).

Babar Azam remained unbeaten on 28 when Pakistan declared at 181 for six, setting a target of 462 for the Australians to win.

Australia began their chase with determination. Their openers Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja who had put on 142 runs partnership in the first innings, set the stage for the chase beautifully.

Finch was the first to go when he was one short of his half century. This time the openers put on 87 runs in 29.4 overs.

Abbas trapped him leg before for 49 made off 99 balls with five boundaries. Two balls later, he also had Shaun Marsh caught behind with a reverse swing delivery for duck. Mitchell Marsh too quickly departed lasting four balls before being trapped leg before by Abbas for a duck.

With three wickets falling at the same score of 87, Travis Head joined Khawaja and played till close to carry on the battle to the final day.