Clarke stumbles as Australia lose Sharjah warmup against Pakistan A

Result a boost for Pakistan going into Test series after being swept 3-0 in ODIs

Rahat Ali of Pakistan A celebrates after dismissing Michael Clarke of Australia during Day 4 of their practice match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 18, 2014. Francois Nel / Getty Images

SHARJAH // Skipper Michael Clarke failed again as Australia lost a four-day warm-up game against Pakistan A by 153 runs in Sharjah on Saturday.

Clarke, who is recovering from a hamstring injury and needed batting practice ahead of Wednesday’s first Test against Pakistan in Dubai, scored five off as many balls before being bowled by left-arm paceman Rahat Ali on the fourth and final day.

Clarke made 10 in the first innings, but not much can be read into Australia's loss as the match was for practice.

Australia, chasing 339 to win, were bowled out for 185 in their second innings with paceman Mohammad Talha (3-32) and left-arm spinner Raza Hasan (3-60) hampering Australia’s plans for some useful practice.

Pakistan A had made 305 for eight declared and 306 for three declared in their two innings.

Australia made 273 for eight declared in their first knock.

Australia batsman Phil Hughes promised a different showing in the Tests.

“It’s good to see them going out there and performing well,” Hughes said of Pakistan A. “But it’s going to be a different story and a different pressure in a Test match.”

Pakistan A captain Asad Shafiq said it was pleasing to see Clarke out cheaply.

“It’s an inspiration to get Clarke out early in both the innings and very satisfactory but I don’t think this win means much as it was just a practice game,” said Shafiq who scored a hundred in the first innings and is a regular member of Pakistan’s Test squad.

“But surely this win gives confidence to some of our players who will play in the Test.”

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