Doherty shapes as ODI X-factor

Pace-bowling allrounder James Faulkner's two overs for 20 runs could give Australia's chief selector Rod Marsh food for thought ahead of the second One-Day International against Pakistan on Friday.

Australia have announced left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty will join the squad for training on Thursday as a replacement for injured squad member Mitchell Marsh.

The inclusion of Doherty's spin, following a seven-wicket haul in four matches in the Champions League Twenty20 event that finished in India last weekend, is expected to be strongly considered.

Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, who was omitted from the side for Tuesday's first game in Sharjah, which Australia won by 93 runs, is also under consideration for a recall to the side.

Faulkner's possible exit would push wicketkeeper/batsman Brad Haddin up one spot to six, after Faulkner batted at six in Sharjah and made 11 in an important 38-run stand with century-maker Steve Smith.

Given the way the Dubai pitch took turn immediately in Sunday's T20 game, which Australia won, it's going to be tough to leave out Doherty as a spin partner for Nathan Lyon and allrounder Glenn Maxwell, who both claimed two wickets in Tuesday's game.

A long tail if Doherty replaces Faulkner could be an issue for Australia.

But Pakistan's 9-96 in their six-wicket T20 loss and 162 all out in 36.3 overs chasing 256 to win in Sharjah suggest the host team are in deeper waters with their batting.

Pakistan's skipper Misbah-ul-Haq says he needs to lead from the front after making a first-ball duck at No.4 in his side's batting collapse.

Australia captain George Bailey employed a leg slip and David Warner didn't let him down with a sharp catch off the bowling of offspinner Lyon to dismiss Misbah.

"It was spinning quite sharply for Nathan and it was always going to be quite tough to start against," Smith said.

"We thought that was going to be an opportunity to get him out and it worked out really well."

Misbah says it's time for one of his players to make a big score.

"Sometimes you just lose confidence," he said.

"You need one or two good innings and at the moment it's not coming from anyone.

"We are looking forward that somebody just comes and stand up and play a really good innings."