SHOAIB Akhtar pegged back Australia with four wickets for Pakistan in the opening Test match of the series in Perth.

Worcestershire's new pace ace finished day one of the Test with figures of 4-89 off 20 overs in an enthralling clash down under.

Australia ended on 357-8 after, at one point, finding themselves 78-5 following an early three-wicket burst by the fastest bowler in the world.

However, an unbeaten century from opener Justin Langer (118) and some lusty hitting by Adam Gilchrist (69) saw an Aussie recovery and Shoaib's figures suffered.