Pakistan’s Sarfraz Ahmed hits century but David Warner gives Australia a solid start

Sarfraz Ahmed's 80-ball century propelled Pakistan to a first innings of 454 and sent a message to Australia that the first Test will be a tough battle in Dubai, writes Paul Radley.

Sarfraz Ahmed of Pakistan celebrates after reaching his century during Day 2 of the first Test between Pakistan and Australia at Dubai International Stadium on October 23, 2014. Warren Little/Getty ImagesShow less

DUBAI // After four sessions of tepid, attritional cricket, Sarfraz Ahmed and David Warner set the Dubai Test onto fast forward with sparkling feats with the bat on Thursday.

By the end of Day 2 it seemed as though the two men were attempting to settle their own personal score - namely, who can score the fastest and who is Test cricket’s most in-form batsman.

Sarfraz’s stunning, 80-ball century, was his fifth successive score of 50 or more. When Warner then raced to 75 from 77 deliveries by stumps, it meant he had managed a series of six.

The duo’s combined efforts made a joke of the theory that Test batting at this stadium has to be of the wearyingly watchful type. Belligerence clearly has its place, too.

“So far it is the best hundred [of the two he has managed so far in Tests] but there are many more to come,” Sarfraz said.

“It’s just a start. My number is low in the batting order and I mostly had to play with tail so it’s not like I can’t score big but it’s a matter of chance. Sometimes, if I get a lengthy partnership with someone at the top I can do it.”

Sarfraz’s currently purple patch with the bat makes it odd to think he was only recently fully trusted to take the gloves for Pakistan.

On this form, the wicket-keeping brothers Adnan and Kamran Akmal are in for a long wait if they are thinking of dislodging him from behind the timbers again.

“Earlier in my career I was more concerned about whether I will get another opportunity or not,” Sarfraz said.

“But now I am given all the support. I am playing with more freedom and support back in the dressing room, and that has helped me a lot.”

The 27-year-old wicket-keeper’s effort even impressed the opposition.

“Sarfraz was outstanding,” said Steve O’Keefe, the debutant left-arm spinner for Australia. “Even from ball one he just changed the tempo of the innings.

“He came out with positive intent. His hundred is critical for them, it was chanceless and he batted beautifully.

“I think it goes to show that if you are positive on this wicket you don’t have to go at two per over.”

For all the heroics of Sarfraz, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq with the bat for Pakistan, Australia will be content with their position with three days of the Test remaining.

Pakistan are missing their spin-bowling kingpin, Saeed Ajmal, for this series, as well as four front-line pacemen.

As such it was perhaps little surprise that their rookie bowling attack has exhibited all the cutting edge of wet tissue-paper in the 31 overs so far.

Much batting still needs to be done, but Australia will have in mind building a lead and then hoping their spin duo, O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon, can find more assistance than they were afforded in the first innings here.

“It was a tough day, but it builds a lot of character for Nathan and myself,” O’Keefe said.

“You certainly don’t expect it to be easy at Test level. We kept getting reminded of that, but as the game wears on the pitch might do the same and we might come into it more in the second innings.”

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