Pakistan batsman Mohammad Abbas, left, was the hero for his side as they beat Australia in the second Test in Abu Dhabi. AFP
Pakistan batsman Mohammad Abbas, left, was the hero for his side as they beat Australia in the second Test in Abu Dhabi. AFP

Mohammed Abbas sinks Australia as Pakistan clinch dominant win in Abu Dhabi



Mohammed Abbas helped himself to a 10-wicket match-haul as Pakistan completed a series-clinching win over Australia in Abu Dhabi.

The seam bowler took five wickets in all on Friday, as the hosts made light work of the Australians at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

The beleaguered tourists were bowled out for 164, meaning they fell to a 373-run defeat.

To make matters worse for Australia, they have confirmed Usman Khawaja has suffered a torn meniscus, and may require surgery.

The left-handed opener has been arguably Australia’s only success story on this tour, after his heroics in saving the first Test in Dubai.

His injury means he is now a doubt for the start of their home series against India.

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Pakistan, too, suffered injury. Sarfraz Ahmed, the captain, did not take the field on Day 4 as he dealt with the effects of a head injury.

He was hit on helmet while batting on Thursday, and went to hospital for precautionary scans on Friday morning.

Mohammed Rizwan took the gloves instead, while Asad Shafiq took on the captaincy mantle.

Despite the absence of their captain, the Pakistanis were rampant in a first session extended to two-and-a-half hours to accommodate a long lunch-break for Friday prayers.

Abbas, as has been typical in this series, made the major breakthroughs. In the course of three overs from the North End, he reduced the visitors from 71 for one to 78 for five.

He had Travis Head (36) caught behind, Mitchell Marsh (5) and Aaron Finch (31) lbw, while Tim Paine (0) left a ball that cannoned into his off stump.

Mitchell Starc and Marnus Labuschagne at least stopped the rot briefly, as they shared in a stand worth 67 for the sixth wicket.

Then Yasir Shah, who had been touted as Australia’s biggest threat before this series but has played a mere supporting role to Abbas, got in on the act. He trapped Starc and then Peter Siddle lbw.

Having lost six wickets, and with Khawaja not fit to bat, at least the away side made it to lunch.

It was a short stay of execution, though, as Abbas had Labuschagne caught behind off the second ball he bowled after the break.

Yasir completed the rout as Jon Holland edged to Haris Sohail at slip.

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