Amir and Rahat strike after Younis fifty

Cricket Australia XI 4 for 3 (Amir 3-3) trail Pakistanis 208 (Younis 54, Sarfraz 39, Valente 4-36) by 205 runs
Scorecard

Mohammad Amir took three wickets with the pink ball, including two off his first two balls, in Pakistanis' day-night tour game in Cairns, ahead of the day-night Test against Australia in Brisbane, starting December 15. Amir's burst came after Pakistanis stumbled around Younis Khan's half-century to 208 all-out.

Amir's new-ball partner Rahat Ali also picked up a wicket in his only over as Cricket Australia XI closed the day at 4 for 3 in three overs.

Having opted to bat, Pakistanis were kept in check by regular strikes from Cricket Australia's seamers. Mark Steketee and Cameron Valente did the bulk of the damage, claiming combined figures of 7 for 83.

Younis, who managed all of 16 runs in four innings in New Zealand, hit form and briefly steadied Pakistanis' innings with 54 off 138 balls, including four fours. Barring Younis, Sarfraz Ahmed was the only other batsman to pass 25.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who had missed the Hamilton Test, following the death of his father-in-law, returned with 20 off 44 balls, before Valente had him caught behind. The visitors were ultimately bowled out in 84.5 overs.

Speaking after the day's play, Younis Khan said, "Cricket Australia XI bowled really well. They hit the deck hard and didn't give us any easy runs. The outfield was large as well. It was a good effort by them.

"I'm happy that we got to come here early and have time for preparation, which we didn't get in New Zealand. We had a nice net session before this and we have time to think about the Australia tour and the Australian team. It wasn't a bad day at all for us, especially with the four wickets in the end. I feel bad for the [Cricket Australia XI] youngsters. It's not easy to play under the lights, especially if you're facing someone like Amir. Here in Australia the ball usually seams, but under lights, swing comes into play."