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BRISBANE. – Australia seized the advantage on the opening day of the first Test crickety when they bowled Pakistan out for 240 just before stumps at the Gabba in Brisbane yesterday.

After the visitors resisted stubbornly in the first session, reaching 57 for no wicket at lunch, pace trio Mitchell Starc (4-52), Josh Hazlewood (2-46) and Pat Cummins (3-60) tore through the Pakistan batting order to put the hosts in charge at the close of play.

Australia seized the initiative after lunch when they took five wickets for just 19 runs, reducing Pakistan from 75 for none to 94 for five.

The pacemen then struck again late in the day, with 16-year-old debutant Naseem Shah just squeezing out Starc’s hat-trick ball. “It was quite a welcome to Test cricket wasn’t it?” Hazlewood said.
Hazlewood said the fast bowlers had enjoyed the extra bounce at the Gabba.

“The way we fought back in the second session was perfect,” he said.
“We probably bowled too short in the first session, but we got better as the day went on. It was a pretty good comeback I thought.”

Pakistan were rescued from complete disaster by Asad Shafiq who played a lone hand, scoring 76 well-made runs.

Shafiq came to the crease with his side 75 for two, then saw Haris Sohail (1) and Baba Azar (1) fall for the addition of only two runs. – AFP.