Cricket: Pakistanis prosper as Aussies fall to pitch menace

Ricky Ponting's duck was one of three scalps Mohammad Sami claimed yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

Pakistan swing bowler Mohammad Asif has made a mockery of Ricky Ponting's decision to bat first on one of the greenest SCG pitches in living memory as Australia were bundled out for 127.

Asif (6-41) made the most of the early inroads by fellow quick Mohammad Sami (3-27) as the home side crumbled in the humid, overcast conditions on a rain-affected opening day of the second cricket test.

It was Australia's equal fourth lowest total against Pakistan, but it could have been even worse.

The hosts slipped to 62 for seven at one stage before Mitchell Johnson (38) and Nathan Hauritz (21) put on 42 to save their side from even greater embarrassment.

Ponting's confident decision to bat raised eyebrows, commentators describing the track as "the grassiest pitch seen in Sydney in 20 years". The Pakistanis were quick to take advantage of their chance to bowl. Sami (3-27) initiated the carnage by having Australia's three top batsmen back in the pavilion with the tally having only just reached double figures.

Asif then started gnawing his way through the lineup, using his probing swing bowling to steadily dislodge batsmen as he claimed six straight wickets for the tourists.

Sami earlier started in sensational fashion by dismissing Phillip Hughes and skipper Ponting for ducks in successive deliveries in the fourth over of play.

Hughes endured a forgettable 10-ball stay, being dropped by Umar Akmal at gully off the first ball he faced before being caught at second slip two overs later.

For the second successive test against Pakistan, Ponting fell caught on the leg-side boundary, awkwardly flicking a ball off his hip as the crowd watched in horror.

The shot demonstrated concerns about how much Ponting is being hindered by his elbow injury.

Sami, in his first test appearance for 25 months, narrowly missed having Shane Watson (6) lbw next ball to claim a hat-trick before removing the opener in the eighth over.

Watson was one of few Australian top-order batsmen to be undone by a good ball rather than poor shot selection in the testing conditions.

Michael Clarke (3) used the referral system to stay alive following a questionable lbw decision from umpire Asoka De Silva before being bowled between bat and pad by Asif at 36 for four.

Asif was also on a hat-trick after dismissing Mike Hussey (28) and Marcus North (10) in successive balls in the 22nd over as Australia plunged to 51 for six.

Brad Haddin (6) tried to hit Australia out of trouble, but was caught at cover off Asif's bowling with the total at 62 for seven.

Further showers halted play after tea before Johnson and Hauritz saved some blushes, ensuring Australia progressed beyond their lowest test total against Pakistan of 80.

They took the long handle to spinner Danish Kaneria, peeling 17 runs off one over to lift Australia's innings to three figures to the loud cheers from a rain-soaked crowd.

Pakistan had 14 runs without losing a wicket when bad light stopped play.

- AAP