The Australian cricket side holds the edge over Pakistan in the first test at the MCG.
Heading into the final day the tourists are 170 for three, still 252 runs short of their victory target - with captain Mohammad Yousuf unbeaten on 45 and Umar Akmal 27 not out.
Australia set Pakistan 422 to win after Australia's captain Ricky Ponting declared for a second time in the match,in the second session yesterday, with the score 225-8.
Left-arm quicks Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson removed Pakistan's openers LBW with deliveries that swung back in, but Nathan Hauritz sent the biggest shudder through the tourists' camp with an offspinner that bowled Faisal Iqbal for 48 with an hour to play.
That wicket left Pakistan 3-116 before Yousuf and Umar steadied.
Hauritz has had little impact in the three previous times he has tried spinning Australia to victory in the fourth innings of Tests, and also could not produce when needed during the last (third) innings against England in this year's first Ashes Test in Cardiff.
But his removal of Iqbal could be the sign that the spinner could yet be the match winner his country wants him to be.