Pressure on Pakistan in Abu Dhabi: Azhar

Senior batsman Azhar Ali admits Pakistan will be under pressure of expectations in the second Test against Australia starting in Abu Dhabi from Tuesday.

Pakistan dominated much of the first Test in Dubai but failed to get the last two wickets as Australia held on for a draw, finishing at 8-362.

Set a daunting 462 runs Australia's fightback was led by opener Usman Khawaja's 141, ably assisted by Travis Head (72) and skipper Tim Paine (61no).

"I can't say if the pressure will be more on Pakistan or Australia but we are the home side and obviously people expect us to win and so there is pressure," Azhar said on Sunday.

"However, having said that these are favourable conditions for us and we have to make the most of it.

"Pressure is always different in every match and obviously this is a decider. Being the home team we have to win it and we will enter the field thinking that. We will look to play positive cricket and hopefully the result will go our way."

Pakistan will be forced to make a change after regular opener Imam-ul-Haq fractured his finger in the first Test and was ruled out, opening an option to bring Azhar as opener. 

The 33-year-old held the opening spot from The Oval Test in England in August 2016 and struck a triple century against the West Indies in Dubai and a double hundred against Australia in Melbourne, both in 2016.

But he went to his customary No.3 position for the two Tests against Sri Lanka last year and in last week's first Test against Australia.

Pakistan also have the option of bringing in limited-overs specialist Fakhar Zaman to play his first Test, despite poor form in the Asia Cup where he scored only 56 runs in five matches with two ducks.

Azhar said he will do what is best for his team.

"When playing for Pakistan one has to be ready for everything," said Azhar. "I have always believed in that and whatever the team management decides or the captain decides, I will be ready to do that."

Azhar admitted Pakistan players were disappointed at not winning the first Test.

"We are not disheartened but, yes, disappointed, obviously after dominating the Test match throughout and then not winning it," said Azhar, a veteran of 66 Tests.

"Unfortunately we couldn’t win but I think we also have to give credit to the Australians as well as they showed resilience and kept fighting till the end."

Azhar said he remains focused despite not in the best of form, managing only 95 runs in the last four Tests.

"A batman always wants to score runs and it doesn't feel nice when he doesn't score runs," said Azhar. "But the important thing is to stay focused and believe that once you get a good knock things will start rolling again."

Qantas Tour of the UAE

Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc

Pakistan Test squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafeez

Oct 7-11: First Test, drawn

Oct 16-20: Second Test, Abu Dhabi