Pakistan vs Australia Tests UAE 2018: Pakistan Win 1-0 — Mohammad Abbas 17 Wickets (UAE Two-Test Record), 10/95 at Abu Dhabi (First Fast Bowler 10-For in UAE), Khawaja 141 Saves Dubai Draw, Smith and Warner Absent

Pakistan won the two-match Test series against Australia in the UAE in October 2018 by 1-0 (one Pakistan win, one draw). Mohammad Abbas was Player of the Series with 17 wickets — a record for any bowler in a two-Test series in the UAE, surpassing the previous record of 16 shared by Shane Warne, Rangana Herath, and Yasir Shah. Steve Smith and David Warner were absent throughout (both serving 12-month Cricket Australia bans following the March 2018 Sandpaper Gate ball-tampering scandal); Australia fielded three debutants in the 1st Test. 1st Test Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Oct 7-11): Draw — PAK 482 (Hafeez 126; Haris Sohail 110 — maiden Test century; Shafiq 80) & 181/6d; AUS 202 (Bilal Asif 6/36; Abbas 4/29) & 362/8. Usman Khawaja scored 85 in Australia's 1st innings and an unbeaten 141 in the 2nd to save the match; Aaron Finch scored 62 in Australia's 1st innings. Player of the Match: Khawaja. 2nd Test Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi (Oct 16-19): Pakistan won by 373 runs — PAK 282 & 400/9d (Babar Azam 99 in Pakistan's 2nd innings — dismissed one run short of a century); AUS 145 (Abbas 5/33) & 164 (Abbas 5/62). Abbas's match figures of 10/95 made him the first fast bowler to take 10 wickets in a single Test in the UAE — all previous instances had been by spinners. Player of the Match: Abbas.

Abbas 17 Wickets and 10/95: The UAE Series Record and a Historic Fast-Bowling First

Mohammad Abbas arrived for the Australia series having already established himself as one of the most effective fast-medium bowlers in UAE conditions — his ability to move the ball both ways at relentless accuracy made him deadly on the slow, low pitches of Dubai and Abu Dhabi that typically favoured spin. His 17-wicket series haul improved on the existing record for a two-Test series in the UAE (16, jointly held by Warne, Herath, and Yasir Shah). His 10/95 in the 2nd Test at Abu Dhabi — 5/33 in Australia's 1st innings, 5/62 in the 2nd — was the first instance of a fast bowler taking 10 wickets in a single Test match in the UAE; every previous 10-wicket match haul in the region had come from a spinner. Abbas's bowling in the Abu Dhabi Test reduced Australia to 145 and 164, giving Pakistan a 373-run win — the largest Australian defeat in the UAE. Babar Azam's 99 in Pakistan's 2nd innings declaration (dismissed lbw one run short of a century) was the defining batting moment of the match for Pakistan aside from Abbas's bowling dominance.

Khawaja 141 at Dubai: Saving the Match Without Smith and Warner

Usman Khawaja's unbeaten 141 in Australia's 2nd innings at Dubai — combined with his 85 in the 1st — made him the match's outstanding performer and earned him Player of the Match in a draw that Australia ultimately owed to his batting. Australia, bowled out for 202 in their 1st innings (Bilal Asif 6/36 was the wrecking-ball; Abbas took 4/29), faced a 1st-innings deficit of 280 runs against Pakistan's 482. Following on, Australia needed to survive — and Khawaja's 141* ensured they did, leaving Australia at 362/8 at the close of the 5th day. Pakistan had set a competitive declaration (181/6d) but could not take the final wickets. Australia were playing without Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft — all suspended after Sandpaper Gate — and brought three debutants into the XI. Aaron Finch (62 in AUS 1st), without the support of the established top order, had a significant responsibility that Khawaja shouldered in both innings.