HE may have been picked as a batsman but Marnus Labuschagne got plenty done in the Test arena before getting the chance to score a run.

Nearly four years ago Labuschagne burst into the spotlight by taking a brilliant catch at bat-pad to mark his first appearance on a Test arena.

Unfortunately for Labuschagne he still does not have a Test catch on his official record as he was a substitute fielder for that match. However, he does have a wicket to his name.

Labuschagne proved the ace up Tim Paine’s sleeve on day two in Dubai, with the part-time legspinner ending a 150-run stand between Haris Sohail and Asad Shafiq on the cusp of tea. Labsuchagne found Shafiq’s outside edge to send him back to the pavilion for 80.

It was Australia’s first wicket in 49 overs and the tourists did not have to wait too much longer for their second thanks to the debutant.

Positioned at mid-wicket, Labuschagne pounced when Babar Azam hesitated in the pursuit of a quick single, firing a flat throw to Paine to catch the Pakistani just short of his crease.

Labuschagne’s day almost got even better, with the 24-year-old drawing an edge from Sarfraz Ahmed with a looping leg-break that turned just enough, only for Aaron Finch to shell a regulation chance at first slip, granting Sarfraz Ahmed a reprieve on eight.

The drop did not cost Australia too much in the end, with Finch catching Sarfraz napping to run him out for 15 with a direct hit.