New-ball wickets crucial, says Johnson

Scorecard: Pakistan v Australia, First Test

Report: Younis century defies Australia

Australia's key destroyer in the past 12 months, Mitchell Johnson was again relied upon heavily to provide the breakthroughs on the first day against Pakistan.

A "pretty stuffed" Johnson bowled 20 overs spread over seven spells, collecting 3-22 (with 13 maidens). His first wicket came in the first over of the day and the third with the first over of the new ball. With it only 10 overs old, Johnson will again hunt for an early breakthrough as he seeks his 13th five-wicket haul in Tests.

"We have to turn up and start pretty well tomorrow, the ball is still pretty new and in good condition as well, so the first couple of overs are going to be important for us in the morning," said Johnson.

"You have really got to use that new ball and make them play early on.

"We knew we had to focus on getting the ball up there, hit guys on the pads or get nicks early on."

Pakistan centurion Younis Khan said he believed a par score of 400 was possible, which at their current rate of scoring would see them near that target sometime just before stumps on day two.

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The Australians will be hoping they can find reverse swing again. Johnson said the Australians had found it as early as the 27th over on day one, and it perhaps should have brought the crucial breakthrough.

With the last ball of that over, Johnson had Azhar Ali driving on the up towards Chris Rogers at point. The fielder dived forward and to his right and got both hands to the ball but was unable to hold on. Azhar survived to post a half-century in a 108-run partnership with Younis as they ended at 4-219.

"I came around the wicket and bowled a ball and that was the one Rogers put down and that is the first time I thought it was really starting to go," Johnson said of the appearance of reverse.

"I think we will see that through the next innings as well.

"It is a good thing to have, normal swing early on and to have it reverse when the ball is still hard is perfect. Fingers crossed we can do that with this ball."

Johnson sent a momentary scare through Australian supporters after appearing to limp, but was able to continue bowling.

"I just had some sharp pain go through my ankle," the 32-year-old explained. "It lasted a couple of balls and it's gone away, it's all good now. I got through it."

Some 219 runs were scored on the first day in Dubai at a sedentary pace as Pakistan were constricted by Australia's bowlers and their own lack of aggression to push the score.

"We thought they would come out a bit harder with the new ball to score early but it wasn't the case and it just got harder and harder to socre," said Johnson.

"We were able to use that reverse swing through the middle period quite well.

"I think we stuck to our plan and didn't go away from it, I'm really happy with how we went about it today."

The slow scoring rate was also not helped by a "dead and slow pitch", but Johnson promised "some pretty exciting cricket coming up in this match" as the wicket deteriorates further.

"I think we are going to see it turn through this match, the wicket will probably break up a bit more and we have already seen pretty big foot marks out there," said Johnson.

"It is definitely going to turn a lot more. We saw Nathan (Lyon) turning it out of the foot marks late.

"Guys just have to be patient and that’s what we did today, we worked as a bowling unit, we were patient and didn’t let them get away.

"We are happy to be in this position and we just need to get ourselves right and turn up in the morning.

"We have a great batting side and they would be keen to get out and bat on there.

"I think you will find we will get out there and be a bit more aggressive than Pakistan was today. We will definitely be going after that new ball."