DUBAI: Australia were 136-3 at the close of the fourth day of the 1st Test against Pakistan in Dubai on Wednesday.
Usman Khawaja was unbeaten on 50 and Travis Head 34 not out at close with Australia still needing an improbable 326 runs for victory while Pakistan need seven wickets on the final day for a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Medium pacer Mohammad Abbas took all three wickets for 26 runs.
Australia chasing a daunting target of 462 runs to win the first Test in Dubai after declaring their second innings at 181 for six on the day fourth afternoon.
Resuming at 45 for three, Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq (48), Haris Sohail (39) and Asad Shafiq (41) before declaring 7.5 overs after lunch.
Pakistan had made 482 in their first innings before bowling Australia out for 202. Usman Khawaja was the top scorer for Australia with 85 runs, while Aaron Finch who is playing his debut game scored 62.
Jon Holland, who took the key wicket of Azhar Ali for four on Tuesday, dismissed opener Imamul Haq for 48, caught and bowled off a flighted delivery.
Debutant Marnus Labuschagne then had Haris Sohail leg before wicket (LBW) for 39, leaving Pakistan at 110-4. Sohail and Imam had added 65 runs for the fourth wicket.
Holland has figures of 3-71 from 16 overs while off-spinner Nathan Lyon has yet to take a wicket.
Australia need 462 runs to win in 137 overs.