Dubai, United Arab Emirates : Sarfraz Ahmed's belligerent century led Pakistan to a strong 454-8 against Australia at tea on the second day of the first test on Thursday.
Ahmed tormented the bowlers on a slow pitch by making 109 off 105 balls, hitting 14 fours before he was stumped by Brad Haddin in the last over before tea, and gave Nathan Lyon (1-144) his first wicket of the match.
Asad Shafiq (89) and captain Misbah-ul-Haq (69) also hit resilient half centuries after Pakistan resumed from 219-4 overnight.
Ahmed and Shafiq toyed with the bowlers by raising 124 runs for the sixth wicket off 128 balls, before Shafiq gave debutant Steve O'Keefe his first wicket in the left-arm spinner's 25th over.
Mitchell Johnson was the pick of the bowlers with 3-39 but the rest struggled on the grassless pitch.