Pakistan on verge of victory over Australia in Sydney Test

Sydney, Jan 5(ANI): Pakistan are on course for their first Test victory against Australia since 1995 as they restricted the hosts to 286-8 with a lead of only 80 runs on day three of the second Test in Sydney.

Trailing Pakistan by 206 runs in the second innings, Australian openers Shane Watson and Phil Hughes put on 105 runs for the first wicket, but Watson once again failed to get a ton, falling for 97 runs which included 11 fours and three sixes.

Hughes, who scored a duck in the first innings, made 37 runs and middle-order batsman Michael Hussey was the other major contributor, who kept Australia's slim hopes alive with an unbeaten 73.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was unable to make a big improvement on his first-innings duck, falling caught at second slip for 11 to Umar Gul. Batting with an arm guard, the skipper appeared to be still troubled by the elbow injury, which caused him discomfort in Melbourne, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

While fast bowlers dominated the first innings collapse of the Australian team, the second innings saw leg-spinner Danish Kaneria taking 4-117 before limping off the SCG with an apparent leg injury.

Kaneria took the wickets of Marcus North (two), Brad Haddin (15) and Mitchell Johnson (three) after tea, as Australia lost five wickets for 87 runs in the final session.

Pakistan was also disappointed by the missed opportunities, including Watson being dropped on 18 at fine leg, and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal dropping Hussey on 27, 45 and 52 off the bowling of Kaneria. (ANI)