Pakistan face anxious wait for victory

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Leeds, England, July 24: Pakistan were left tantalisingly close to ending their 15-year winless streak against Australia at stumps on the third day of the second and final Test at Headingley here on Friday.

Pakistan ended the third day on 140 for three - just 40 short of a victory target of 180 that would end a record run of 13 straight Test defeats by Australia stretching back to 1995.

But despite Headingley being bathed in bright sunshine, the umpires took the players off at the scheduled close.

Pakistan left-handed opener Imran Farhat, dropped on four, made 67.

Left-arm quick Doug Bollinger gave Pakistan a nasty jolt by taking two wickets for no runs in seven balls to remove both Farhat and fellow left-hander Umar Amin.

It was a reminder to Pakistan, bowled out for 139, chasing a victory target of 176 in Sydney in January, of what can happen against against Australia.

However, Azhar Ali - in only his second Test - was 47 not out at stumps, having helped Farhat put on 110 for the second wicket as Pakistan's top order at last produced a significant partnership when it was most needed.

The 28-year-old Farhat faced 95 balls with nine boundaries before he was yorked by Bollinger who then had Umar Amin caught behind for nought.

Farhat told reporters Amin's exit ended any hopes Pakistan had of claiming an extra half hour in which to force victory.

"If Umar Amin had stayed in we would have stayed out for 30 minutes so it was a good decision by the management to come back in the morning because there's not going to be as much pressure," Farhat said.

As for any bad memories of Sydney, he added: "We didn't think about that. We've forgotten that. The management and all the players said 'that's in the past'. The atmosphere is very positive."

Australia's Steven Smith, who made a Test-best 77, said his side hadn't given up hope.

"We'll see how it goes in the morning. We've got to believe in ourselves. Hopefully, we can get a few wickets and put a bit of pressure on."

Pakistan were 18 without loss when first slip Shane Watson dropped Farhat off Bollinger despite getting both hands to the ball.

But Australia did remove in-form batsman Salman Butt, in his first match as Pakistan captain, when the left-handed opener, on 13, edged Ben Hilfenhaus to Michael Clarke at second slip.

Pakistan had moved on to 59 for one when Watson, who had taken a Test-best six for 33 in the first innings, was introduced into the attack.

But the medium-pacer, whose previous best of five for 40 came during Australia's 150-run first Test win at Lord's last week, couldn't break through.

Leg-spinner Smith, who had earlier made his maiden Test fifty, was late cut for four by Ali as Pakistan got the target down to under a hundred.

Farhat then glanced stray Watson deliveries for two fours in as many balls before his two off the all-rounder took Pakistan to the morale-boosting total of 100.

That Australia set Pakistan as many as they did was thanks mainly to Smith's dashing 77 in only his second Test.

He was last man out in an Australia total of 349 -- a vast improvement on their humbling first innings 88 -- having come in when their lead was only 47.

But he played some fine shots in a 100-ball innings featuring two sixes and nine fours that ended when he was bowled slogging at Umar Gul.

Smith drove leg-spinner Kaneria for two sixes in as many balls, the second a huge hit onto the roof of the Football Stand End.

In the morning, Pakistan teenage left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer took three wickets for just 12 runs in 16 balls.

That gave him final figures of four for 86 in 27 overs and a Test-best match return of seven for 106 after Australia resumed on their overnight score of 136 for two.

This series is being played in England after international cricket in Pakistan was effectively suspended after an armed attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore in March last year.