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Australia's batters amassed 487 runs in their first innings at Optus Stadium, but things would have been worse for Pakistan if not for debutant Aamir Jamal.

Aamir Jamal has become the first Pakistan player to take six wickets on Test debut in Australia since 1964.

But the fast-bowling allrounder's efforts were a rare highlight for the tourists as Australia's batters dominated in their first innings at Optus Stadium.

Pakistan's decision not to take a frontline spinner into the Perth clash put extra pressure on pacemen Jamal and Khurram Shahzad to fire on their Test debut.

That pressure was only compounded by Shaheen Afridi struggling to live up to his billing as one of the world's premier quicks.

The towering Afridi again failed to hit 140km/h, an issue that has plagued him this year, and appeared hampered in his run-up.

He averaged 133.7km/h throughout Australia's innings, with Jamal the tourists' top pace proponent with an average delivery of 135.6km/h.

Afridi finished the innings with figures of 1-96, unable to strike after breaking the opening partnership.

"I think if you see Shaheen, he bowled 26 overs in an innings. As a bowling coach, how much can I expect from him?" Pakistan bowling coach Umar Gul said of Afridi.

"I think he bowled all his spell with good effort, and I don't think there is any problem.

"He is fully fit. He is just looking for his rhythm, and hopefully he will get his rhythm in the second innings."

The Test debut of 27-year-old Jamal (6-111) gave the tourists something to smile about.

Jamal, whose prior international experience amounted to four T20Is, dismissed the dangerous Travis Head (40) cheaply for his first Test wicket.

He then claimed the biggest scalp of the innings when he enticed David Warner (164) into pulling to fine leg, where he was caught.

Clever captaincy from Shan Masood gave rise to the important wicket - Warner had hit the bowler for six with a similar shot earlier in the over.

Jamal had Pakistan's breakthrough wicket on day two, bowling Alex Carey (34) just as the wicketkeeper's 90-run partnership with Mitch Marsh threatened to push Australia out of reach.

The right-hander became only the second Pakistan player, and first since Arif Butt in 1964, to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut in Australia.

When he dismissed Nathan Lyon to end Australia's innings on 487, Jamal equalled Butt's six-wicket haul from the late paceman's first Test at the MCG.

"It was the main reason to pick him in the 11 because he played a good first-class season and he was very good with his rhythm," Gul said.

"We were expecting from Aamir Jamal that he can bowl for us a long spell and good pace.

"I think he did his job and we are quite happy with him."