As Australia's fast men battle for Test spots in England, Doug Bollinger reminded them of the pressure coming from outside the squad as he rattled through Pakistan A's top order in Townsville. Bollinger grabbed 4 for 33 during a six-over spell leading up to stumps on the first day as the visitors stumbled to 5 for 49.
Pakistan were relieved when stumps was called and they will begin the second day with Umar Akmal on 9 and Fahad Iqbal on 1. Bollinger, who was outbowled in the first unofficial Test by Clint McKay, is keen to show the selectors he is the best fast man outside the Ashes squad after he was part of the touring party in South Africa.
Runs were difficult to come by on the first day and Australia, having been sent in, struggled to 230. Callum Ferguson was the only man to post a half-century and his 60, along with a handy 48 from the allrounder Moises Henriques, helped the hosts avoid disaster as Pakistan's seamers ran through the line-up.
The part-time offspinner Mohammad Hafeez then chipped in for three lower-order wickets to boost Pakistan before their own batting problems arose. The first unofficial Test, at the same venue, ended in a draw.