Resuming at the overnight score of 86 for one, most of the top order Pakistani batsmen came up with useful contributions to fight their way back into the game on a benign M Chinnaswamy stadium track which gave little assistance to the bowlers.

The in-form Misbah-ul Haq (54) and wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal (32) were at the crease at stumps on the third day with the tourists reaching 369 for five and looking quite confident to avert the threat of the follow on with five wickets still intact.

Apart from Misbah, Salman Butt (68) and Younis Khan (80) were the main scorers for Pakistan who desperately need to win the match to level the three-match series 1-1.

The Indians, who amassed a mammoth first innings total of 626, will not be under any pressure to push for a victory as even a draw will give them their first Test series win on home soil against Pakistan in 28 years.

With the pitch showing no signs of deteriorating, the Indians found the going tough with none of the bowlers being able to make much of an impact.