Salman Butt took the first steps to repaying his team for running out two of his partners yesterday afternoon, with a patient half-century at Bellerive Oval. Butt and Shoaib Mailk guided Pakistan through the first session of the third day without any further loss, following the four wickets that fell late on Friday, and the visitors reduced their deficit to 361.
They had reached 4 for 158 with Butt on 74 and Malik on 28, although they needed a further 162 to avoid a follow-on that Ricky Ponting is keen to enforce. Butt calmly compiled his runs without taking risks and continued to be one of the better performers in the Pakistan top order - he has made a start in every innings on the tour.
His half-century came from 140 deliveries and by lunch he had struck 14 fours, and was particularly strong off the back foot through the off side. He and Malik had taken their partnership to 74 runs without any major worries, and only twice during the session did the Australians come close to a wicket.
A confident lbw appeal against Malik was rightfully turned down before Butt, on 61, edged Shane Watson marginally short of a diving Marcus North at first slip. They were the only nervous moments for Butt and Malik, who demonstrated a resolute mindset that has so often been lacking from Pakistan on this trip.
Ponting tried various changes to break the partnership and while Doug Bollinger's move around the wicket made Malik less comfortable, nothing snapped the concentration of the batsmen. Australia were hoping to run through the Pakistan first innings as soon as possible and make them follow on with showers forecast, although the rain might not hit until this evening.
