DUBAI (Reuters) - Opener Ajmal Shehzad completed his second century to put Pakistan in firm control of the first test against Australia as the hosts extended their overall lead to 382 runs at tea on the fourth day on Saturday.
Resuming on 38 for no loss, Pakistan, who took a first innings lead of 151 runs, lost Azhar Ali (30) in the morning session and remained unscathed in the afternoon to reach 231 for one wicket at the second break.
The 22-year-old Shehzad was unbeaten on 128 and had first-innings centurion Younus Khan (67 not out) for company.
With the pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium offering assistance to the spinners, scoring runs freely proved a tough ask for the Pakistan batsmen in the first session.
Shehzad and Azhar added 71 in their opening stand before the latter edged debutant left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who held on to a smart catch.
Experienced Younus, who made 106 in the first innings, joined Shehzad and the duo continued to thwart the Australian attack, adding 160 runs for the unbroken second wicket.
Right-handed Shehzad, playing his sixth test match, survived a fiery spell from left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson in the first session, during which he was hit on the rib cage by a sharp, rising delivery.
Shehzad, who hit 10 boundaries and four sixes in his knock, was hardly troubled otherwise and reached his century with a sublime straight-driven four off fast bowler Peter Siddle.
Pakistan upped their tempo as Shehzad looked for quick runs after going past his hundred and hit Siddle for a boundary and two sixes in consecutive deliveries during an over that cost the bowler 20 runs.
Younus continued to plunder runs in the match and hit three fours and a six during his 127-ball stay at the crease.
(Writing by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; editing by Ian Ransom and Julian Linden)