Watson's century puts Australia in command against Pakistan

Shane Watson hit his maiden Test century as Australia set Pakistan 422 to win on Day Four of the first Test at the MCG on Tuesday.

Watsonu00a0 scored an unbeaten 120 in his side's second-innings total of 8-225 when skipper Ricky Ponting declared for the second time in the match, in the second session.

The tourists reached 3-170 at stumps - still 252 runs short of their victory target - with captain Mohammad Yousuf unbeaten on 45 and Umar Akmal 27 not out.

Yousuf and Umar could push Australia if they get going on the last day, but Pakistan still need to post the highest successful run-chase in the Test history to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Left-arm quicks Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson removed Pakistan's openers LBW with deliveries that swung back in, but Nathan Hauritz sent the biggest shudder through the tourists' camp with an offspinner that bowled Faisal Iqbal for 48 with an hour to play.

Iqbal had shaped to cut a delivery that pitched well outside off stump, but could not get his bat down quick enough as the ball spun sharply and crashed into off and middle.

That wicket left Pakistan 3-116 before Yousuf and Umar steadied.

But Umar had a couple of lucky escapes close to stumps, as he was dropped by Hauritz at mid-on from the first ball bowled by part-time spinner Simon Katich, and survived a close stumping call next ball.

Hauritz has had little impact in the three previous times he has tried spinning Australia to victory in the fourth innings of Tests, and also could not produce when needed during the last (third) innings against England in this year's first Ashes Test in Cardiff.

But his removal of Iqbal could be the sign that the spinner could yet be the match winner his country wants him to be.