Pakistan is chasing a 317-run target for victory at the MCG on Day 4, needing nothing less a win to keep the Benaud-Qadir Trophy alive.

Captain Shan Masood brought up his half-century, reaching the minor milestone in 57 deliveries to mount pressure on the Australian attack. The tourists reached 2-100 a short time later, with Babar Azam also at the crease, to keep alive their hopes of an unlikely victory.

“This has been very impressive from the skipper,” O’Keeffe said.

“Suddenly you sense with the captain acknowledging the 50 and a well made 50, there is something brewing here.

“If this pair can add to this partnership. They are going at almost four an over. They are going about this run chase the right way.”

“… It looks a long way off … but this pair is having a crack.”

However Aussie skipper Pat Cummins proved the game-changer again for the host, removing Masood, who was caught at slip by Steve Smith to swing the momentum of the session.

Mitchell Starc earlier snared the first breakthrough for the Australians, removing Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique caught at third slip for 4.

Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist predicted the wicket, declaring in Fox Cricket commentary box moments earlier: “If you get three maidens in a row, generally there’s a wicket waiting.”

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Moments before the lunch break, Pakistan captain Shan Masood successfully overturned an LBW decision against spinner Nathan Lyon, with Hawkeye replays suggesting the ball would have bounced over the stumps.

The ball-tracking was enough to baffle the Australians, however, with the group looking visibly bemused by the decision, while side-on replays only added to the intrigue.

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“Enough to tear your hair out,” Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket about the Australians’ disappointment.

“I don’t think the Australian jury is all that happy with that,” Kerry O’Keeffe said. “They are not unanimous in support of that. Lots of cries of, ‘oh what?’”

In the following over, Starc dropped a tough one-handed return chance, handing Imam-ul-Haq a massive reprieve on 1.

After the lunch break, Australian captain Pat Cummins trapped Imam-ul-Haq on the pads for 12 — a review couldn’t save the Pakistan opener. Later in the afternoon session, Marnus Labuschagne required medical attention after copping a blow to the kneecap.

“He’s fine, but that would have hurt,” teammate David Warner told Fox Cricket during the drinks break.

Pakistan is currently 2-87 with Masood (51*) and Babar Azam (13*) unbeaten in the middle.

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Australia was bowled out for 262 on Friday morning, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey scoring his first Test half-century since he stumped England’s Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s.

Captain Pat Cummins was dismissed in controversial circumstances, given out caught behind despite nothing appearing on Hotspot.

Cummins immediately called for a review after umpire Michael Gough raised the finger, but the New South Welshman was sent packing after a noise appeared on Snicko.

Speaking of the Cummins wicket, former England bowler Isa Guha said the “glimmer” on Snicko “could be anything”.

“There’s nothing on hot spot either,” she said.

“You’re supposed to use all the evidence together aren’t you. But I’d say that hot spot and naked eye is probably more reliable than a noise.”

Only South Africa (Perth 2008) and India (Brisbane 2021) have chased down more than 250 to win a Test in Australia since 1953.

Kerry O’Keeffe described Australia on Fox Cricket as “unbackable favourites” ahead of day four.

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