The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Bangalore

Misbah-ul-Haq moved toward his second successive test century Tuesday as he took Pakistan past the follow-on mark, raising hopes of forcing a draw in the third and final test match against India.

Misbah's unbeaten 99 and his 144-run stand for the sixth wicket with overnight partner Kamran Akmal (65) boosted Pakistan to 470-6 at lunch on the fourth day after India made a mammoth 626 in its first innings.

Resuming at the overnight score of 369-5, Pakistan added 101 runs in the first session for the loss of Akmal, who departed after Pakistan had crossed the 427 mark required to make India bat again. Akmal was the more attacking of the pair Tuesday, smashing 12 boundaries off 114 balls before being stumped by Dinesh Karthik off spin bowler Harbhajan Singh.

Rookie Yasir Arafat on 21 was keeping Misbah company at the break.

Playing in his 10th test match, the resolute Misbah followed up his rescue act in the drawn second test, when his partnership with Akmal helped Pakistan avert the follow-on.

Misbah's patient 5-1/4 hour knock featured 13 boundaries off 256 deliveries.

Misbah, 33, posted 161 during the last match for his maiden test century.

India earned the dubious distinction of conceding the highest extras in a test innings with the sundries mounting to 72, surpassing the previous world record of 71 by the West Indies against Pakistan at Georgetown in 1988.

The extras amounted to third highest contributor in Pakistan's score, next only to Misbah and stand-in skipper Younis Khan (80) who is leading the team in place of injured tour captain Shoaib Malik. India is seeking its first home test series triumph against Pakistan in 28 years. India won the opening test match in New Delhi by six wickets.

India's last test series on home soil against Pakistan was in 1979. Out of four subsequent series, Pakistan's touring teams won one and drew three.