Fiery Asif nails Australians

Pakistan have bowled Australian out for a paltry 127 to take a firm grip on the second Test following an extraordinary opening day at the SCG. The home side was dismissed shortly before stumps after winning the toss and electing to bat on a seaming greentop of a wicket. Paceman Mohammad Asif was the chief destroyer with career-best figures of six for 41 - the second-best return by a Pakistani bowler at the SCG. It was Asif's sixth five-wicket haul in just his 16th Test. Bad light stopped play for the day 10 minutes before stumps, the visitors to resume day two at 14 for no loss with Imran Farhat on nine and Salman Butt three. Australia were on 62 for seven prior to tea before a 44-run eighth wicket partnership between Nathan Hauritz (21) and Mitchell Johnson (38) eased the score past 100.

Rain delayed start of play until 2pm local time, and Ricky Ponting was left regretting his decision to bat soon after play got under way. Ponting and the recalled Phillip Hughes fell for ducks in successive balls, with Shane Watson (six), Michael Clarke (three), Michael Hussey (28), Marcus North (10) and Brad Haddin (six) making hasty exits as the Pakistan quicks made the most of the perfect bowling conditions. Mohammad Sami (three for 20) took the first three wickets before the impressive Asif stepped up in centre-stage to remove the next six batsmen. Doug Bollinger was the last man out to Umar Gul, leaving the tourists 14 overs to survive until stumps.