Alex Doolan and Steve Smith have scored unbeaten half-centuries to steady Australia’s first innings on day two of their four-day game against Pakistan A.

Australia scored 87 runs in the middle session without the loss of a wicket to reach 3-149 at tea with Test No.3 Doolan on 63 and Test No.5 Smith on 50.

Michael Clarke’s men had started the day in disastrous fashion in reply to the home side’s first innings of 8-305 off their allotted 90 overs.

Chris Rogers was out for a first-ball duck and Phil Hughes followed at 2-37.

Hughes, who could be set to resume his Test career on October 22 due to David Warner’s groin strain, made a streaky 14 before he was leg-before to pace bowler Rahat Ali.

Rogers had been trapped leg-before first ball of the innings bowled by Mohammad Talha.

Clarke was caught at point for 10 against the bowling of 21-year-old medium-pacer Ehsan Adil.

Australia limped to lunch at 3-62 on a low-playing pitch but showed greater authority in the middle session.

Doolan has struck six fours and one six off 146 deliveries after a cautious start, while Smith has carried on his good form from last week’s one-day series in which he scored 190 runs in three matches.

World No.5-ranked Test batsman Warner broken down in last Sunday’s third one-day game against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and has been ruled out of this week’s tour match.

The 26-Test veteran Hughes will be determined to put a score on the board in Australia’s second innings, if only for his own confidence ahead of what could be a major battle against Pakistan’s pace and spin in Dubai on October 22.

Uncapped left-arm spinner O’Keefe claimed 3-76 off 23 overs on Wednesday in Pakistan A’s first innings of 8-305.

Both sides have agreed on 90 overs per innings for the four-day game.