Uncapped Test hopeful Steve O’Keefe claimed 3-76 on day one of Australia’s tour match against Pakistan A to push his claims to partner Nathan Lyon in the first Test in Dubai.

O’Keefe worked hard on a flat batting track in Sharjah which offered little turn under the hot baking sun as temperatures reached the high 30s.

O’Keefe’s 23 overs included eight maidens, while Australia’s No.1 Test spinner Lyon bowled 19 wicket-less overs for 68 runs.

Pakistan A captain Asad Shafiq hit an unbeaten 108 including 13 fours and four sixes in his side’s 8-305 off 90 overs.

Both sides have agreed upon a compulsory closure after 90 overs in each innings.

Australia skipper Michael Clarke, who isn’t a selector, said before the match he wouldn’t be surprised to see Australia pick two frontline spinners for the Dubai Test on October 22.

“If the wicket’s going to spin I can see two spinners playing a part,” Clarke told reporters.

“I’ll definitely talk to (selectors) Rod Marsh and Darren Lehmann about that.”

Pakistan A were 4-170 at tea after losing the wickets of Shan Masood (six), Israr Ullah (five), Ahmed Shehzad (55) and Babar Azam (40).

O’Keefe broke the 100-run stand for the fifth wicket between Shafiq and Haris Sohail with the total on 223.

Left-hander Sohail lifted his score to 37 with a six over mid-wicket but was bowled next ball by O’Keefe between bat and pad.

O’Keefe’s celebrations didn’t last long as his next over cost 17 runs including two successive sixes over long-on by Shafiq.

However, the 29-year-old NSW tweaker made his third breakthrough of the day at 6-268 when Adnan Akmal (25) was caught at slip by Clarke.

Paceman Peter Siddle (2-61) claimed his second victim at 7-278 when he trapped Raza Hasan lbw for five.

Shafiq, who has scored four Test centuries, reached his hundred with a splendid pull shot off the bowling of Siddle in the 88th over and hit the next ball for six over mid-on.

Occasional spinner Steve Smith took a wicket on the final over of the day to remove tailender Mohammad Talha.

Pace-bowling allrounder Mitchell Marsh’s performance will be watched closely by selectors after the uncapped West Australian strained a hamstring on September 30.

Marsh fielded on Wednesday and is expected to bat on Thursday before bowling in Pakistan A’s second innings.