Watson Maiden Ton Puts Aussies on Top But Pakistan Hope

Melbourne: Shane Watson hits his first Test century as Australia set Pakistan a daunting total of 422 to win the first Test.

The all-rounder was unbeaten on 120 when Ricky Ponting declared Australia's second innings on 225-8 in Melbourne.

Left-arm seamer Mohammad Aamer was the pick of the bowlers, collecting his first five-wicket Test haul with 5-79.

Salman Butt (33) and Faisal Iqbal (48) made useful starts as Pakistan finished the day on 170-3, with Mohammad Yousuf (45) and Umar Akmal (27) unbeaten.

Watson's century was Australia's first since Michael Hussey's three-figure score in the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval in August.

But the 28-year-old Queenslander was fortunate to reach the landmark when he was dropped on 99 by Abdur Rauf at backward point, taking advantage of the misfield to run through for the single and celebrate his first century in 15 Tests.

Teenager Aamer became the second youngest Test bowler to collect a five-wicket haul.

Brief scores
Australia: 454 for 5 dec and 225 for 8 dec (Watson 120*, Aamer 5-70)
Pakistan: 258 and 170 for 3 (Yousuf 45*)
Status: Pakistan need another 252 runs to win

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

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