Captain Babar Azam went to the tea break unbeaten on 168 with wicketkeeper Muhammad Rizwan batting alonside as they defied Australia's bowling attack on the last day of the first Test at the National Stadium Karachi.

Requiring a record 506 runs or surviving 172 overs, Pakistan reached tea on the final day at 310 for 4. Pakistan still needs another 196 runs, but appear focused on averting defeat.

Early breakthrough

Australia on Wednesday got a breakthrough in the first session of the Karachi test against Pakistan at the national stadium after they got the wicket of in-form batter Abdullah Shafique, who fell four runs short of his century after facing 305 balls.**

The final day play of the second test started with centurion Babar Azam and opener Abdullah Shafique on the crease, looking all set to test the Aussies patience. However, Shafique got out on skipper Pat Cummins's delivery. The right-hand batter got caught on the first slip after nicking an off stump delivery of the pacer. Cummins and Steve Smith, who caught the ball, along with other team mates were all excited after breaking the 228-run partnership.

Pakistan would be looking for a draw as they need 314 to win in 90 overs. However, people could hope for a win as the host side did against Aussies in 1994 when Inzamamul Haq played a match-winning innings to lead his side to the victory in a dramatic style.

Moreover, the tourists are looking for wickets and would be hoping for the reverse swing as they had on day three of the second test when left-arm pacer Mitchel Starc got Fawad Alam out on a peach of a delivery.

Skipper Azam and Shafique had managed to survive the Australian onslaught on day four of the game when the country lose early wickets in 23 overs, prompting concerns that the Green Shirts would lose the test match of the Benaud-Qadir test series. But, both the openers stayed calm and faced the Australian attack, the skipper getting his century and bringing the match back to the three conclusions.

Set a record victory target of 506, Pakistan lost two quick wickets but Babar would not go down without a fight. The right-hander combined with opener Abdullah Shafique in a 171-run unbroken partnership for the third wicket in a spectacular rearguard spread over nearly 60 overs.

Pakistan finished day four on 192-2, still 314 behind their target and needing something extraordinary on Wednesday to deny Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series. Babar's sixth Test century contained 12 fours.