Mitchell Marsh and David Warner moved closer to proving their fitness for next week’s Dubai Test in a mixed day for Australia in their tour match against Pakistan A.

Pakistan A’s uncapped pair Haris Sohail (103 not out) and 20-year-old Babar Azam (114 not out) had a 219-run partnership in their side’s second-innings total of 3-306 from their allotted 90 overs on Friday’s third day of play in the four-day game in Sharjah.

The Australians need 339 runs to win on Saturday.

Pace-bowling allrounder Marsh sent down seven overs for 18 runs after being rested from bowling in Pakistan A’s first innings.

Marsh has recovered from a hamstring strain on September 30 which had initially raised fears the uncapped 22-year-old might not be fit for the Dubai Test starting on October 22.

In further good news, opener David Warner walked laps around the ground on Friday following his groin strain last week and also had a bat in the nets.

Australia’s No.1 Test spinner Nathan Lyon fought back from a wicket-less start to the game with a more damaging performance on day three, claiming 2-49 off 17 overs.

Offspinner Lyon bowled 19 overs for 68 runs in Pakistan A’s first innings on Wednesday and uncapped left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe led the way with 3-76.

While O’Keefe’s form has pleased coach and selector Darren Lehmann, Lyon’s performance will also be a boost to the Australia camp.

Lyon made a double breakthrough in the fourth over after lunch, dismissing opener Shan Masood (19) and No.3 Israr Ullah (0) in consecutive balls.

Left-hander Masood edged a turning delivery from Lyon to substitute wicketkeeper Saqlain Haider.

UAE player Haider took the gloves for Australia on day three as Brad Haddin was rested.

Israr was lbw first ball to Lyon at 2-62 and Lyon was also involved in the run out of opener Ahmed Shehzad for 59.

Haris was dropped on 47 by Michael Clarke at slip off the bowling of spinner Steve O’Keefe.

Both batsmen struck nine fours and three sixes as Australia’s efforts in field yielded little in the way of wickets.

Left-arm paceman James Faulkner (0-57 off eight overs) struggled to contain the flow of runs late in the day.

Alex Doolan top-scored with 104 in Australia’s 8-273 on Thursday in reply to Pakistan A’s 8-305.

Australia’s two-Test series against Pakistan starts in Dubai on Wednesday.