Bollinger Late Shines, Pakistan Take 204-run Lead

Sydney: Pakistan took a 204-run lead on the first innings in the second Test against Australia as the visitors reached 331 for nine at stumps on Monday in reply to Australia's 127.

The Aussies fought back in the later half of the day as Pakistan lost 5-54 after the second new ball was taken with Doug Bollinger (3-70), Shane Watson (2-40) and Mitchell Johnson (2-64) leading Australia's bowling attack.

Danish Kaneria (two) not out and Mohammad Asif (zero) were at the crease.

Openers Imran Farhat (53) and Salman Butt (71) shared a valuable partnership of 109 for Pakistan.

Nathan Hauritz removed Farhat, while Butt was caught behind 35 runs later as Johnson broke through. Peter Siddle claimed the wicket of Faisal Iqbal (27) at 205 for three when Watson took a brilliant overhead catch on the point boundary.

Pakistan's hopes of a massive total started to wobble when captain Mohammad Yousuf (46) edged a rising ball from Johnson to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Bollinger took the second new ball and struck in three successive overs.

The big left-armer removed Umar Akmal lbw for 49. Billy Doctrove reversed his original not-out decision after Australia called for a video referral.

Bollinger then had Misbah-ul-Haq (11) caught behind and Kamran Akmal (14) holed out to deep point.

Watson removed Umar Gul (12) caught on the boundary and Mohammad Sami (13) as Haddin took his fifth catch of the innings.

Brief scores
Australia: 127
Pakistan: 331 for 9 (Butt 74, Farhat 53, Bollinger 3-70)
Status: Pakistan lead by 204-runs

Scores	Upcoming	Results
No games being played at this time. 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan at Johannesburg Pakistan won by 36 runs (DLS method) 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining)

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