A century by Mark Waugh left Australia on the verge of their first series victory in Pakistan in 39 years. Going into the final day of the third Test in Karachi the home side need 419 to win and tie the series, which Australia lead 1-0.

Waugh scored a delightful 117 as Australia, who began the day at 130 for one, were dismissed for 390 in the last over. Waugh's 15th century in his 81st Test came from 232 balls with nine boundaries and a six before he was beaten in the air by the debutant spinner Shakeel Ahmad for an easy stumping to Moin Khan.

Waugh featured in three half-century partnerships, adding 56 for the fourth wicket with his twin Steve (28), 76 for the fifth with Darren Lehmann (26) and 63 for the seventh with Gavin Robertson.

The partnership with Robertson all but ended Pakistan's faint victory hopes as Robertson, who came in with Australia 294 for six, batted for more than two hours for his 45, hitting five fours and a six and taking 17 runs from one Arshad Khan over.

Shakeel, wicketless in the first innings, finished with impressive figures of four for 91 from 29.3 overs while Arshad bowled 56 overs for the scalps of the Australian openers Mark Taylor and Michael Slater. Taylor added only four to his overnight score to be dismissed for 68, taking his series aggregate to 513.

Justin Langer, who shared a 109-run second-wicket partnership with his captain, made 51 from 161 balls with three fours and a six before he was run out while attempting a risky single with Mark Waugh.