Pakistan 148 & 1/114 (37 ov, Salman Butt 58*) need 326 more runs to beat Australia 253 & 334 ( S Katich 83, B Hilfenhaus 56*,Umar Gul 4-61) T#1/2 D3 at Lord's.
Australia should win, but will they? A better second innings was founded on yet another underpinning by Simon Katich 83/174b (14x4) and the unexpected bonus of a maiden Test 50 (and highest first class score) by Ben Hilfenhaus 56*/84b (6x4, 1x6). Tim Paine compiled 47/85b (3x4) , while each of the other middle and lower order batters - Mitchell Johnson , Marcus North, Steve Smith and Doug Bollinger- reached double figures.
The sun came out so it's fair to say that conditions favoured batting, and it wasn't only Australia who benefited.
The Pakistan second innings batting to date has made their 440 - now 326 - target look not so much impossible (as history suggests) as unlikely. Salman Butt 58*/118b (9x4)is looking good (as he usually does) and solidly determined (as he often does). The first session on D4 will be very interesting. If the outcome of the match isn't pretty clear by lunch then Australia will be in trouble. Which isn't to say that they'll lose (only that I may have to stay up and watch more play).
Scorecard
Cricinfo Bulletin
Fox Sports report with link to video highlights.
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