Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Australia lost two quick wickets chasing a mammoth target of 603 runs to beat Pakistan in the second test after captain Misbah-ul Haq matched the record for the fastest century in tests and broke that of the fastest fifty on Sunday.
At tea, Australia reached 36 for the loss of two wickets. Opener David Warner on 24 not out and captain Michael Clarke on two were at the crease.
Left-arm orthodox bowler Zulfiqar Babar took both the wickets to fall — opener Chris Rogers (2) tried to work him around the corner and edged to Asad Shafiq at leg slip, while Glenn Maxwell (4) was trapped leg before wicket after a decision review.
Misbah reached his century in 56 balls, matching the record set by West Indian great Sir Vivian Richards, who achieved the feat against England in 1986.
Earlier, the 40-year-old reached his 50 in just 21 deliveries with the last ball before lunch, turning Mitchell Starc toward the mid-wicket boundary for three runs, eclipsing the previous record of fastest 50 from 24 balls by South Africa's Jacques Kallis against Zimbabwe at Newlands in 2005.
It was the second century in the match for Misbah, which was later matched by Azhar Ali (100 not out).
It was only the second time that two teammates made centuries in both innings of a test match. The previous occasion was in Wellington in 1974 when Australian brothers Ian (145, 121) and Greg Chappell (247 not out, 133) managed to do it.
Misbah got to his fifty in just 23 minutes, and took a further 34 balls and 51 minutes to reach his hundred. In all, Misbah slammed five sixes and 11 fours.
Australia will rue the fact that Peter Siddle dropped a catch off the very second ball Misbah faced in his innings from Steven Smith when on four.
Younis Khan was the only wicket to fall in the morning session, trapped lbw by Smith for 46.
Australia will need to produce a history-making second innings if it is to win the match and level the series.
A draw or a win would give Pakistan a rare series win over Australia, its first since 1994.
