AUSTRALIA faces a monumental challenge reeling in a mammoth Pakistan total to stay alive in the first Test in Dubai.

Usman Khawaja and debutant Aaron Finch steered Australia to stumps after a tricky 15-over period to be 0-30 at the end of day two in response to Pakistan's monster total of 482 all out.

Khawaja (17no) and Finch (13no) will resume with an enormous task on their hands going into day three play on Tuesday, but have debutant Marnus Labuschagne to thank for limiting the damage.

Labuschagne inspired Australia with the ball and in the field as Pakistan seemed destined for a first-innings total well beyond 500.

The part-time legspinner struck minutes before tea, removing Asad Shafiq (80) with a ripping delivery which caught the right-hander’s edge to trigger a late collapse.

Labuschagne then had Babar Azam (four) run out shortly after tea with a pinpoint throw from midwicket which left Babar well short of his crease.

Haris Sohail (110) - one of two Pakistan century-makers along with Mohammad Hafeez (126) - soon followed, caught behind while attempting to cut a Nathan Lyon delivery.