Farhat, Butt give Pakistan the edge against Australia

Pakistan batsmen complimented their bowlers' splendid opening day performance with a strong showing on the second day to take a firm grip on the second Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Pakistan ended Day Two at 331 for eight, 204 runs ahead of Australia's first innings total of 127. Danish Kaneria (2 not out) and Mohammad Asif (0 not out) were at the crease.

Though Doug Bollinger (3-70) led Australia's fightback in the last session as they picked seven wickets after tea, they couldn't prevent Pakistan from taking a mammoth innings lead.

Teenage sensation Umar Akmal (49 off 48) played a cameo, which helped Pakistan cross the mark of 200 runs when it came to the advantage over kangaroos. Off the first six balls that he faced in his innings, four sped to the boundaryu00a0- all from off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

Skipper Mohammad Yousuf (46) was also looking good before he edged one from Mitchell Johnson straight into the hands of glovesman Brad Haddin.u00a0u00a0

But the stars of the day for the visitors were the openers Imran Farhat (53) and Salman Butt (71). The all-southpaw combination cautiously played out the first session to take away any chance of an Australian resurgence. The 109-run association was eventually ended after lunch when Farhat miscued a sweep shot and scooped it to Haddin off Hauritz.

Earlier in the morning, Australia had to strike early in order to get back into the game. But Marcus North messed up a regulation catch at first slip offered by Farhat off Peter Siddle in the third over of the day to waste an opportunity to presssurise the Australian batting line-up.