Australia coach Justin Langer has showered praises for the new opening pair of Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja after they gave Tim Paine’s rebuilding team a solid platform in the first Test against Pakistan in Dubai which resulted in a draw. Finch and Khawaja, promoted up the order in the absence of the banned David Warner, put on a 142-run stand in the first innings and 87 in the second in a stellar debut for their nascent partnership.

Talking about the same, Langer said, “One of the main building blocks is a really strong opening partnership. So for the guys to get a 140-run opening partnership and an 87-run partnership … that’s huge for our team. Whenever you’re building a team you’re always looking for the opening partnership and they have certainly both put their best foot forward and they’ve obviously got a good chemistry to have two great partnerships.”

Australia batted for 139.5 overs in the second of the Dubai Test and Khawaja played the anchor by scoring 141 and saved the game for his team. Now, he will be heading towards the second match in Abu Dhabi with optimism after being widely written off before the series.

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While debutant Travis Head played a crucial knock of 72 in the fourth innings and Paine steered the team to safety with an unbeaten 61, the form of the Marsh brothers and rookie all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne is still a matter of concern for the Australians. Shaun and Mitchell Marsh managed a total of 19 runs between them in the Test.

Labuschagne scored a total of 13 runs for the match but chipped in with two handy wickets with his part-time legspin. Opening batsman Matt Renshaw was overlooked for Dubai due to a lack of match fitness but Langer said the Queenslander could be recalled lower down the order.

The coach explained, “He’s a terrific young player, really good in the group. I admire the way he’s gone about it. There’s plenty of future for Matt Renshaw. Whether it comes in opening or batting number three … it could come anywhere.”