Glenn Maxwell during nets, in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has warned his team to beware of a backlash from a wounded Australia in the second and final test that starts here on Thursday.

Pakistan had thrashed the Australians by 221 runs in the first Test in Dubai, with their spinners rattling the visitors on a slow, dry wicket. The defeat cost the visitors their chance of regaining the top Test ranking from South Africa, while giving Pakistan a timely dose of belief after recent struggles.

Waqar, however, said he expects the second Test to be a true test of his team’s mettle. “We have won the first Test, but it's a long way to go… The second test will be tough,” the former pacer told reporters.

“We all know that Australia are very positive about their cricket and they feel hurt… They will bounce back, I am sure… And we have to be prepared for that.”

Pakistan can seal their first series win over Australia in 20 years and will also be lifting their ranking from sixth to a respectable third irrespective of the outcome of this Test. “To come into the top three is a big thing,” said Waqar, a member of the 1994 side that last won a Test series versus Australia (at home).

“But besides coming into the top three, consistency is more important for me because we have always been unpredictable, sometimes up and then down… So we need to give consistent performances.

Pakistan have been buoyed by the performances of the spin duo of debutant leg-spinner Yasir Shah and left-armer Zulfiqar Babar.

As for Australia, captain Michael Clarke promised a fightback. “We got outplayed and Pakistan deserve a lot of credit for the way they played in the first Test. We know we can play a lot better and look forward to showing that in this Test match,” said Clarke.

Clarke, though, was confident that runs would come in the second Test.

“It doesn't feel any different to any other Test match to me. My expectations are always very high for myself to make sure I'm scoring runs and for this Australian team to have success.