AUSTRALIA appear destined for a humbling defeat in Dubai after suffering another worryingly predictable batting collapse in the first Test against Pakistan.

Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh and Mitch Marsh all fell without Australia adding to their score as the tourists limped to 3-136 at stumps on day four, needing 326 to win.

Australia’s only hope had been to bat for time and grind out a draw after Pakistan set a monster target of 462 but even that result now seems wildly unlikely.

No Test side has ever successfully chased a fourth-innings target greater than 418 anywhere in the world.

Having lost 10-60 in the first dig, Australia added just 64 runs to their second-innings tally and lost three wickets - all to right-arm paceman Mohammad Abbas - during a dismal final session on Wednesday.

Usman Khawaja, who was dropped by Asad Shafiq in the slips off Yasir Shah’s bowling late in the day, is unbeaten on 50 after top-scoring with 85 in the first innings.

Travis Head is 34 not out.