Cricket: Pakistan need 252 for final-day victory

Shane Watson scored Australia’s first century of the summer. Photo / Getty Images

Australia hold the edge over Pakistan in the first cricket test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after Shane Watson and Nathan Hauritz produced key moments on day four.

Australia set Pakistan 422 to win after Watson finally achieved his maiden test century.

He scored an unbeaten 120 in his side's second-innings total of 225 for eight when Ricky Ponting declared.

The tourists reached 170 for three at stumps - still 252 runs short of their victory target - with captain Mohammad Yousuf unbeaten on 45 and Umar Akmal 27 not out.

Pakistan need to post the highest run chase in test history to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Left-arm quicks Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson removed Pakistan's openers leg before wicket, but Hauritz sent the biggest shudder through the tourists with an offspinner that bowled Faisal Iqbal for 48 with an hour to play.

That wicket left Pakistan 116 for three before Yousuf and Umar steadied.

But Umar had a couple of lucky escapes close to stumps, as he was dropped by Hauritz at mid-on from the first ball bowled by part-time spinner Simon Katich, and survived a close stumping call next ball.

Hauritz has had little impact in the three previous times he has tried spinning Australia to victory in the fourth innings of tests.

But his removal of Iqbal could be a sign that the spinner could yet be a match winner.

The match has been good for left-arm quicks, as Bollinger and Johnson made inroads into the Pakistan line-up.

Bollinger removed Imran Farhat for 12, and Johnson dismissed Salman Butt for 33.

- AAP