After two Ashes series defeats, Ponting will now lose another test in England unless of course, Pak blow it today
After two Ashes series defeats, Ponting will now lose another test in Australia skipper Ricky Ponting shows his frustration at Leeds yesterday. PIC/AFP
Pakistan were left tantalisingly close to ending their winless streak against Australia at stumps on the third day of the second and final Test at Headingley here yesterday. Pakistan ended the third day on 140 for three -- just 40 short of a victory target of 180 that would end a record run of 13 straight Test defeats by Australia stretching back to 1995.
Australia skipper Ricky Ponting's Test problems on English soil continues. A loss today will mean he has yet to win a Test series in England. It can be recalled that Ponting lost the 2005 and 2009 Ashes on English soil. 
Imran thrives
Pakistan left-handed opener Imran Farhat, dropped on four, made 67. But left-arm quick Doug Bollinger gave Pakistan a nasty jolt by taking two wickets for no runs in seven balls to remove both Farhat and fellow left-hander Umar Amin.
It was a reminder to Pakistan, bowled out for 139, chasing a victory target of 176 in Sydney in January, of what can happen against Australia.
However, Azhar Ali -- in only his second Test -- was 47 not out at stumps, having helped Farhat put on 110 for the second wicket as Pakistan's top order at last produced a significant partnership when it was most needed.
The 28-year-old Farhat faced 95 balls with nine boundaries before he was yorked by Bollinger who then had Umar Amin caught behind for nought.
Lucky
But Pakistan might have been in dire trouble had not first slip Shane Watson dropped Farhat off Bollinger despite getting both hands to the ball.
Pakistan were then 18 without loss. But Australia did remove in-form batsman Salman Butt, in his first match as Pakistan captain, when the left-handed opener, on 13, edged Ben Hilfenhaus to Michael Clarke at second slip.
Pakistan had moved on to 59 for one when Watson, who had taken a Test-best six for 33 in the first innings, was introduced into the attack. But the medium-pacer couldn't break through.
Leg-spinner Steven Smith, who had earlier made his maiden Test fifty, was late cut for four by Ali as Pakistan got the target down to under a hundred.
Scoreboard
Australia (1st Innings) 88
Pakistan (1st Innings 258)
Australia (2nd Innings)
S Watson b Amin 24
S Katich b Aamer 11
R Ponting c Kamran b Aamer 66
M Clarke c Kamran b Asif 77
M Hussey c U Akmal b Aamer 8
M North b Aamer 0
T Paine c Ali b Kaneria 33
S Smith b Gul 77
M Johnson lbw b Asif 12
B Hilfenhaus c U Akmal
b Kaneria 17
D Bollinger not out 0
Extras: (B4, Lb10, W2, Nb8) 24
Total: (all out, 95.3 overs) 349
Fall of wickets:
1-15 (Katich), 2-55 (Watson), 3-144 (Ponting), 4-158 (Hussey), 5-164 (North), 6-217 (Clarke), 7-246 (Paine), 8-283 (Johnson), 9-320 (Hilfenhaus), 10-349 (Smith)
Bowling:
Aamer 27-6-86-4
Asif 26-4-83-2
Gul 15.3-1-80-1
Amin 6-1-12-1
Kaneria 21-2-74-2.
Pakistan 2nd Innings
Imran Farhat b Bollinger 67
Salman Butt c Clarke b Hilfenhaus 13
Azhar Ali not out 47
Umar Amin c Paine b
Bollinger 0
Umar Akmal not out 2
Extras: (Lb6, Nb5) 11
Total: (3 wkts, 37 overs) 140
Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Butt), 2-137 (Farhat), 3-137 (Akmal)
Bowling:
Bollinger 8-1-37-2
Hilfenhaus 6-1-16-1
Johnson 9-1-39-0
Watson 5-1-18-0
Smith 9-2-24-0.
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