Back-up Test opener Phil Hughes failed to grab his chance to shine in the four-day tour match against Pakistan A on Thursday.
Hughes, who could be set to resume his Test career next week due to David Warner’s groin strain, made a streaky 14 before he was leg-before to pace bowler Rahat Ali.
Test opener Chris Rogers fared even worse.
The 37-year-old was trapped lbw first ball of the innings bowled by Mohammad Talha.
And skipper Michael Clarke was caught at point for 10 to the bowling of 21-year-old medium-pacer Ehsan Adil.
Clarke moved freely on Thursday following his recovery from a hamstring injury but was forced to battle on a pitch which was starting to keep low.
Australia limped to lunch at 3-62 from 27 overs in reply to the home side’s first innings of 8-305.
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 Test 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.
Both sides have agreed on 90 overs per innings for the four-day game.
O’Keefe, who is firming for a Test debut in Dubai on October 22, said it was a dead wicket which forced bowlers to use all their tricks.
Test world-record holder and Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan’s 15-day assignment as a coaching consultant with the Australia team ends on Friday.
“Subtle variations, particularly stuff I’ve worked with Murali through the week have really helped out,” O’Keefe said.