To win this game Pakistan will have to create history – the highest target Pakistan have ever chased successfully is the 315 they scored against Australia at Karachi in 1994-95 – but with the pitch flat and easy paced they now have a good chance.

Pakistan went into lunch on 103 for one needing a further 213 runs with the left-handed Taufeeq not out on 55 from 101 balls and number three batsman Abdul Razzaq on just three despite spending 34 minutes at the crease.

Australia were unusually sloppy during the morning. Mark Waugh, revered as one of the game’s great slip fielders, grassed a regulation chance off Imran in the second over of the day.

The 20-year-old also had a second life, on 25, when wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist missed a stumping chance off Shane Warne after the right-hander charged down the wicket and missed a leg-side low full toss.

Imran’s luck eventually ran out when he attempted another audacious straight hit, two balls after being floored by a Brett Lee bouncer that cracked into the side of his helmet. Glen McGrath completed a simple catch at mid-off.

Imran, who had earlier become embroiled in a verbal spat with Gilchrist after aiming an imaginary shot as Warne fired in a return to the wicket-keeper, had scored 40 from 67 balls.

The pair’s contribution was an unexpected bonus for skipper Waqar Younis. Pakistan have struggled in recent times at the top of the order with this being only the third first wicket stand of fifty in the last 21 innings.

Taufeeq, 21, playing in only his seventh Test match, was particularly impressive. He took the attack to both Lee and Warne after tight new ball spells from McGrath and Jason Gillespie, hitting the blonde leg-spinner for three fours in one over.

The left-hander brought up his third Test fifty off 94 balls with a french cut off the bowling of McGrath, his tenth boundary.