Pakistan were facing an uphill battle in their final hit-out before next week's Test after falling 138 runs behind Western Australia at stumps on the second day of their four-day match on Friday. After being dismissed in its first innings for 262, Pakistan struggled in the field against the host state which clocked up 404-9 declared in reply at the Western Australian Cricket Association ground.
In their second innings Pakistan had faced just one over for four runs with Salman Butt on three and Imran Farhat yet to score the not-out batsmen.
The world's fastest bowler Shoaib Akhtar with 2-41 from 17 overs was one of the best in an otherwise lacklustre Pakistan bowling attack which conceded 384 runs during the three sessions.
But even he was unconvincing, appearing lethargic at various stages late in the afternoon and bowling only in short spells before being rested midway between the tea break and stumps.
His fast bowling partner Mohammad Sami was generating good pace on the bouncy wicket but was used into the breeze for many of his 17 overs on Friday while the slower all-rounder Abdul Razzaq bowled downwind.

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PAKISTAN (1st innings): 262
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA (1st innings):
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J.Langer lbw Shoaib Akhtar              4
M.Hussey c Yousuf b Shoaib Akhtar     124
C.Rogers c Kamran b Danish             46
M.Goodwin c Sami b Razzaq               1
M.North c Kamran b Sami                79
S.Marsh lbw b Farhat                   39
R.Campbell c Younis b Danish           49
B.Casson lbw b Danish                   0
B.Dorey st Kamran b Farhat             21
S.Magoffin not out                     14
B.Edmondson not out                     3
EXTRA: (LB-5,W-2,NB-17)                24
TOTAL: (for 9 wickets dec)            404
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FALL OF WICKETS: 1-4, 2-83, 3-84, 4-250, 5-297, 6-349, 7-350, 8-381, 9-385
BOWLING: Shoaib Akhtar 17-4-41-2(1nb,1w), Mohammad Sami 19-3-104-1(10nb,1w), Abdul Razzaq 13-2-133-3, Danish Kaneria 34-2-133-3, Shoaib Malik 1-0-15-0(2nb), Imran Farhat 8-1-30-2.
OVERS: 92

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PAKISTAN (2nd innings):
Salman Butt not out                     3
Imran Farhat not out                    0
EXTRAS: (LB-1)                          1
TOTAL: (for no wicket)                  4
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BOWLING: B. Edmondson 1-0-3-0.
OVERS: 1
UMPIRES: Andrew Craig (AUS), Jeff Brookes (AUS)