The towering target was significantly built by Steve Waugh's best-ever score against Pakistan of 157 as he shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 126 with Darren Lehmann.

Waugh, who had resumed at 104, was out shortly after lunch.

Lehmann displayed fine temperament to make 98 and missed his maiden Test hundred in only his second Test innings. His first Test was against India in 1997-98 when he made 52 at Bangalore

Lehmann batted most of the day before being bowled by left-arm spinner Mohammad Hussain when he resumed after tea on 97. He was out sweeping and missed the line.

He batted for 279 minutes, facing 181 balls, and hit 11 fours, sharing 91 precious runs with Ian Healy.

Resuming on 237 for four, Australia's batsmen rallied the innings to a position of safety after yesterday's early collapse when they were 28-3.

Five wickets fell after teaincluding Damien Fleming who was yorked by Wasim Akram for eight.

Colin Miller was caught and bowled by spinner Mushtaq Ahmed for three. Stuart Macgill and Healy later on put on 41 useful runs for the ninth wicket as the lead mounted.

Macgill was bowled by Saqlain Mushtaq for 21 but keeper Healy, who was dropped by Wasim Akram on 78 off Mohammad Hussain, was the last man out. Mohammad Wasim took a simple catch at mid-wicket off Saqlain Mushtaq.

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan (first innings): 269

Australia (first innings): (overnight 237-4) Michael Slater c M Wasim b Hussain 108, Mark Taylor c Moin Khan b Akram 3, J Langer lbw Akram 0, Mark Waugh lbw Mushtaq 0, Steve Waugh c Wasim b Sohail 157, Darren Lehmann b Hussain 98, Ian Healy c Wasim b Saqlain 82, Damien Fleming b Akram 8, C Miller c&b Mushtaq 3, Stuart Macgill b Saqlain 21, Glen McGrath not out 3; Extras (lb19, nb11): 30. Total: 513

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-11, 3-28, 4-226, 5-352, 6-443, 7-459, 8-464,9-504.

Bowling: Akram 35-4-111-3, Mahmood 13-1-36-0, Mushtaq 41-7-115-2, Saqlain 41.5-9-112-2, Hussain 20-3-66-2, Sohail 23-3-54-1.