Australia leads Pakistan by 301 runs on day two of the third Test match in Lahore, after being bowled out for 391 before tea.
A superb 135-run partnership between Alex Carey (67) and Cameron Green (79) helped Australia move past 340 and towards a competitive total.
However, a wonderful exhibition of reverse swing bowling from 19-year-old Naseem Shah saw the tourists lose their last five wickets for just 50 runs and hand the initiative back to the hosts.
Opener Abdullah Shafique (45) and veteran Azhar Ali (30) - playing a Test for the first time at his home ground in his 93-Test career - ground out a 70-run partnership after losing Imam-ul-Haq for 11 to leave Pakistan on 1-90 at the close.
Resuming on 5-232, Australia were at risk of posting a below-par score on a visibly wearing pitch in Lahore.
However, Carey and Green both knuckled down and dug in, surviving the entire first session without alarm to reach lunch on a far more healthy-looking 5-320.
Both men looked to push on after the break before Carey fell LBW to Nauman Ali, who fizzed in a faster delivery that skidded on to catch Carey dead in front.
Pakistan were visibly buoyed by creating the opening and their mood was further enhanced by the development of prodigious reverse swing by their 19-year-old star Naseem Shah.
Naseem blew through the Australian lower order after bowling Green with an exceptional piece of reverse swing that left Australia's all rounder bemused at how the ball could possibly have squeezed through his defences.
Without their two set batters, Australia's lower order collapsed for 5-50, with Naseem claiming Nathan Lyon (4), while Shaheen Shah Afridi accounted for Mitchell Starc (13) and Mitchell Swepson (9).
Australia would have hoped to make early inroads to the Pakstan batting order and had some early success when the relentless Pat Cummins trapped Imam-ul-Haq in front for just 11.
However, Shafique and Azhar settled the hosts with some stoic defence in a marathon, 39-over final session.
Look back on how all the action unfolded in our live blog.
Key events
- Close: Pakistan 1-90 (Abdullah Shafique 45 off 117, Azhar Ali 30 off 79)
- BIG SHOUT! UP GOES THE FINGER! CUMMINS STRIKES!
- Tea: Australia all out for 391
- BOWLED HIM! Swepson goes for 9!
- BOWLED HIM! NASSEM HAS FOUR WICKETS. LYON HAS TO GO!
- OUT! Nauman Ali catches Mitchell Starc at mid off!
- BOWLED HIM! Cameron Green has to go!
- Alex Carey is out! The finger goes up! LBW!
- Lunch: Australia 5-320 (Carey 60, Green 56)
- Fifty for Cameron Green!
- Fifty for Alex Carey!
Live updates
By Simon Smale
Close: Pakistan 1-90 (Abdullah Shafique 45 off 117, Azhar Ali 30 off 79)
So, Australia's day? I think so, and it's all down to the efforts of Alex Carey and Cameron Green, who batted through the entire first session of the day just when Australia needed them to as part of a 135-run partnership that helped Australia to a sizable total on what could be a wearing pitch.
That total could have been bigger but for a superb display of reverse swing bowling from Naseem Shah, who took 4-58 in a wonderful, disciplined, economical display of pace bowling.
Australia lost 5-50 to close out their innings in something of a collapse, although few of the bowlers could be blamed for losing their wickets in the face of such relentless attack.
Australia's bowlers were just as good though, squeezing the Pakistani batters with their own disciplined lines and lengths and were rewarded with the wicket of Imam-ul-Haq, who fell cheaply for just 11, LBW off Cummins.
Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali though stabilised the hosts' reply and will look to make further inroads tomorrow.
I'll be back then and I look forward to seeing you. Thanks for joining me today, enjoy the rest of your evening.
By Simon Smale
39th over - Cameron Green to bowl the last
Two slips, Green bowls an inswinging yorker that Shafique plays back to Green who picks up and throws down the stumps - but Shafique had not left his crease so nothing doing.
Shafique plays the ball out to cover where the fielder there makes as if to throw the stumps down. Lots of energy out there so late in the day.
Nice shot, a little push through into the covers for Shafique, who moves to 44 off 114 with a two.
Green steams in and Shafique defends back down the pitch.
Shafique comes forward, defends off a big stride. No run.
Last ball of the day.
Pat Cummins walks over the Cameron Green, perhaps with a suggestion with what delivery to end the day with. A leg slip goes in.
Shafique pushes into the off side and he'll run a single.
By Simon Smale
Have you blogged the whole day Mr Smale? That's a mighty effort! Really appreciate your and Dean's efforts in keeping us entertained.
-Rumplestiltskin
You're most welcome, Rumplestiltskin. They're long days but I'm slowing building into match fitness.
By Simon Smale
38th over - Pat Cummins will continue
This could be the last over of the day - perhaps.
Three slips positioned first, second and fourth, just one catching midwicket for Shafique as Cumming forces him onto the front foot defending into the off side.
Again, Cummins asks the question, Shafique answers with his broad, flat blade and takes a single into the off side.
Azhar Ali punches into the point region and gets no run.
Now Cummins goes onto the pads and Azhar pushes away backward of square on the leg side for a couple of runs.
Was that a Steve Smith-style leave there from Azhar? Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? That ball was outside off and left alone.
Another is left outside off and the Aussies hurry around the ground to sneak one more over in.
Audience comment by rd
Thanks for your work tonight Simon. I have to retire for a snack with she who must be obeyed! let's hope for success tomorrow.<br>
By Simon Smale
37th over - Cameron Green will continue
If they're quick, we'll get through another couple before the close.
There are two, catching midwickets for Azhar Ali, about a pitch-width away on the on side, standing just a couple of metres or so apart.
Outswinging yorker - a good one from Green - is dug out by Azhar, who gets a single past backward point.
Shafique pushes back down the pitch for no run.
This is good, accurate stuff from Green - he's done exactly what has been required of him so far, testing the batters and making them play at almost every opportunity.
Shafique pushes square into the off side and gets a single for his troubles to end another over.
Six minutes before the close.
Audience comment by Mike
Thanks again Simon, You're doing a stirling :) job of solo blogging here - keeping on top of calling play with insightful observations, responding to the audience and throwing the odd GIFF in to lighten the mood. Where's the 'like' button on this blog?
By Simon Smale
36th over - Pat Cummins continues
There's a little bit of reverse now for Pat Cummins. Good bowling.
I've said it before but he is relentless, probing the line outside off with a couple of balls coming in a touch and a couple more going away.
Uh oh, that's a no ball. He'll have another one.
The ball passes past the outside of off again and Cummins grabs his head as if physically offended by the fact the ball didn't hit the stumps.
Lots of oooo-ing and aaaaah-ing out there.
Cummins smiles his Hollywood smile and trots back to his mark after Shafique lets another tight leave fly past the outside of off.
Cummins comes tighter and Shafique just shows how good he is at playing those forward defensive strokes - the sort of defence you could build a city around there from the Pakistani opener.
Perhaps not, he ends the over looking at the base of his bat as if it's taken some damage there.
By Simon Smale
35th over - Cameron Green continues
A stifled appeal there but the ball looked like it was sliding down the leg side of Shafique, who takes a single to get off strike.
Green continues to probe at Azhar Ali, who defends solidly and confidently to keep the ball out.
By Simon Smale
34th over - Pat Cummins does replace Mitchell Starc
BIG APPEAL FROM CUMMINS! Looked a bit leg side to me, but Cummins is adamant!
They're going upstairs! Now then...
Was there an edge? Nope, but it looks very leg side - umpires call at best.
Nope, not even going to get to see the ball not hitting the stumps as it hit outside the line of leg. Not out and a review wasted.
Cummins sends successive balls past the outside of off stump - Azhar Ali avoids them like the plague, but the two slips and other assorted close catches get very over excited by it all.
Now Azhar defends with a straight bat to a 138kph delivery.
ANOTHER APPEAL! Nope, that came back in a little but hit outside the line. Terrific ball though, Cummins is hunting wickets here.
Edgy, but steered well to third man by Azhar for a couple of runs to end the over.
By Simon Smale
33rd over - Cameron Green comes on to replace Swepson
Perhaps we'll get both?
Starc has left the field after that last over, Cameron Green is coming on to replace the leg spin of Mitch Swepson though.
Green is on the money early, forcing Shafique to crouch over a defensive shot.
He then fends to the man at point for no run.
Shafique can't quite time Cameron Green, a leading edge this time squirts into the off side rather than its intended position at midwicket...
That ball is fended back down the pitch with a straight bat. Nicely played.
Another solid defensive shot from Shafique - pushing into the off side and holding the pose.
A slight bit of swing there takes the ball in to Shafique who edges the ball away to square leg. Good ball to end a good over from Cam Green, a maiden.
By Simon Smale
Should Pat come back as it seems we need pace to play to full effect on this track with variable bounce?
-rd
You'd think so, rd.
I'd guess either he or Cameron Green will replace Starc in this final half hour's play.
By Simon Smale
32nd over - Azhar Ali fronts up to Mitchell Starc
Starc pushes that one across the face too much and it flies down the leg side - well taken by Carey on the dive.
A positive push into the off side from Azhar, not great contact though so that's barely left the square for no run.
Clipped off his pads for a couple through midwicket - a nice shot to a 143kph delivery.
Azhar defends the next.
Another great diving take behind the stumps from Carey as Starc sprays one down the leg side once more. His radar is off at the moment, Mitchell Starc.
Azhar pushes into the off side to cover for no run to end the over.
By Simon Smale
31st over - Swepson again
Shafique leans back and cuts and it's Mitchell Starc at gully diving on the concrete-like square to deny him a run.
Shafique wants so desperately to get something away, but can't pierce the field. Can Australia turn this into some frustration?
He gets a run now.
Close! Well left, the ball turning away past the off stump to cries of excitement from the close fielders. It was well bowled but Azhar was equal to it.
Too sport off the final ball and they'll take a single to mid on to end the over.
By Simon Smale
30th over - Mitchell Starc continues
Starc has been economical so far, going for just eight runs through six overs. But has not threatened as much as he'd like.
Azhar is defending solidly so far, covering up and not even looking to score when the ball is anywhere near the stumps on a good length.
Starc, from wide around the wicket, angles the ball in and has Azhar fending to midwicket. No run.
Wide outside off and through to Carey behind the stumps.
Azhar can't get the last away, David Warner pouncing on the loose ball like an excitable tabby cat.
By Simon Smale
29th over - Swepson will continue
Oh that kept very low - Azhar had to really dig that one out late on.
Now he tucks off the stumps to square leg for a single.
Driven to point by Shafique for no run - he got to the pitch of the ball but there was enough fizz on the ball to make him mistime his shot.
Shafique comes forward and covers up now, there is no run.
He tries to turn the ball square on the on side but straight to the fielder. No run. No ball.
That's the 50 partnership between these two off 100 balls.
A good solid base for Pakistan to build off.
Nice shot - Shafique just tickles the ball down to fine leg for four.
That turned a bit, Shafique has to defend to see out the over.
By Simon Smale
28th over - They're listening to you, rd, here comes Mitchell Starc
This ball should be hooping around all over the place by now. What can Starc extract?
Round the wicket, wide of off stump, a yorker is slapped away on the stretch for a couple for Shafique.
Into the batter more this time from Starc, with Shafique defending stoically.
Left well alone outside off - no real swing in at the moment for Starc.
Banged in back of a length from Starc and helped off his hip for a couple more runs to square leg.
Shafique drives but there's no run there as he doesn't quite make the contact he would want.
Starc bangs it in outside off and Shafique defends the last for none.
By Simon Smale
27th over - Swepson spins in again
SHOT! Lovely work from Shafique, who gallops down the pitch with three strides before slamming a ball through the covers for four.
There are still two men on the off side catching, a slip and silly point, but Shafique moves towards them and fends to the on side.
He does the same again as Swepson errs a little too straight and leg side - they take a single to midwicket.
Azhar Ali trusts his hands to go the work and pushes the ball off his pads backward of square for another single.
Swepson leaking runs a little here.
Shafique leans back and cuts gorgeously to the point boundary for four - no! Great stop on the boundary by Head, so they run just two.
The googly brings a single, well read and watched by Shafique.
Time for another drinks break.
