Australia's wretched Middle East campaign lurched further into the mire on Friday after Brad Haddin hurt his shoulder during Pakistan's continued onslaught in the second Test.
Haddin's participation for the rest of the match is now in doubt after he left the field eight overs into play, leaving David Warner in the unfamiliar role of wicketkeeper.
It is a huge setback for Australia, who need every break they can get after Pakistan's batsmen maintained their dominance over Michael Clarke's weary bowlers.
A daunting run chase well in excess of 500 is looming for Australia after another torrid session to start the second day.
Pakistan will resume after lunch on 3-405 with their two most senior batsmen, Younis Khan (141) and Misbah-ul-Haq (55), set and looking completely at ease. The pair have added 73 runs for the fourth wicket.
Although this match is only four sessions old it seems Australia will need close to a miracle to win the match and square the series, though a draw in Abu Dhabi is shaping as a more realistic aim.
Haddin suffered his injury after landing awkwardly while trying to catch an edge off the bowling of Peter Siddle that fell just short of him in the sixth over of the day.
The 37-year-old stayed on the field for another 15 balls, though was in noticeable discomfort, struggling to underarm the ball with his right hand and favouring his right side while jogging between overs.
The gravity of his injury is not yet known, though the early signs are not encouraging as Haddin is one of the toughest players to pull on the baggy green and would not leave his post without good reason.
Although it is not uncommon for footballers to play out games after shoulder injuries, the ailment will restrict Haddin's range of movement.
It will also affect Haddin's ability to dive to his right side as he will not want to place too much weight on his injured shoulder.
Batting could also prove troublesome for Haddin, whose experience will be vital in this Test as Australia have named two all-rounders in their top seven.
There could also be ramifications in the medium term as Australia play a five-game one-day international series against South Africa in the near future.
Haddin was not picked for the first two games, but was expected to reclaim the gloves for game three in Perth on November 19.
Australia then plays a four-Test series against India, starting on December 4 in Brisbane.
The injury has already proven costly in this game for Australia. Just seven balls after Haddin left the field, Warner missed what would have been a straightforward stumping opportunity for any specialist wicketkeeper.
That it was Younis who was reprieved hurt even more. The veteran batsman was on 125.
Warner made amends somewhat the following over when he held on to a low chance down the leg side to remove Azhar Ali for 109, giving Mitchell Starc his first wicket of the game.
But there was to be no more joy for Australia's bowlers, who face another long afternoon in the desert heat.
