Australia vs Pakistan 2016: 1st Test, day 4 - 5 talking points

After putting up an embarrassing first innings total of 142 on a decent batting wicket, Pakistan look pretty close to setting the record for the highest successful run chase in Test cricket.

Although 108 runs are still needed, Pakistan have their saviour of the day, Asad Shafiq, unbeaten on 100. Their tailenders, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir have already shown they can bat and Shafiq will be hoping for the same from Yasir Shah and Rahat Ali on the last day.

Australia might still be favourites to win the Test given that they have to take just two more wickets, but Pakistan have made it pretty evident that Starc and Hazlewood aren't unplayable. If they do manage to pull off the 490 chase, it will be a historic achievement for them. Australia, on the other hand, will have to get Shafiq early to avoid another loss in front of the home crowd.

Here are the talking points from the day’s play at the Gabba.

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#5 Azhar Ali and Younis make Australia work

Two senior Pakistan batsmen paved the way for the others by playing some resolute cricket on Day 4 of the first Test. Although chasing down 490 seemed improbable for this Pakistan line-up, the partnership between the two combined with a slight shower raised hopes of Pakistan saving the Test early on Day 4.

Ali and Younis defended all that was thrown at them. Ali took close to 11 overs to get off the mark and he was determined to make the Aussies toil in the field.

Younis, on the other hand, coming on the back of six pretty ordinary knocks, made sure he gave Ali good support, in his good old fashioned way. The 91 run partnership frustrated Australia as it consumed close to 34 overs.

#4 Starc to the rescue

Starc was back amongst the wickets

Mitchell Starc, arguably Australia's best bowler of the summer, took it upon himself to break the resolute partnership. He had his plans firmly in place and sought to attack Azhar Ali with some short stuff.

After pushing through several deliveries on length outside Ali's off stump, Starc attacked his ribs with a surprise short one that caught the Pakistani opener off-guard. He gloved it through to Wade to end Pakistan's resistance in the afternoon session.

Starc was ecstatic and his breakthrough helped Australia get a vital hold in the game after the partnership and rain opened up the possibility of Pakistan drawing or winning the match. He later demolished Sarfraz's stumps to get Australia that much closer to victory.

#3 Misbah-ul-Haq falls to Bird yet again

Misbah’s struggles continue

After Ali and Younis negotiated close to 34 overs, it was up to the skipper, Misbah, to help Younis in his task of keeping the Aussie bowlers at bay. But the 42-year-old skipper failed yet again, edging Bird for the second time in this Test.

Bird was bowling consistent lines but was far from threatening. However, Misbah was loose and decided to hang out his bat to a back of a length delivery outside his off-stump. The ball caught the edge of the bat and flew through to Wade, who pounced on the opportunity.

Misbah was dismissed by Bird in the first innings as well, although that time he went after a swinging full ball outside his off-stump. After trying and failing with several first change seamers, Australia seem to have found the solution to the conundrum in Jackson Bird.

#2 Thunderstorm scares the Aussies

Rain plays spoilsport

If Azhar Ali and Younis Khan's partnership was not terrifying enough for Australia, the thunderstorm that struck Brisbane certainly was. The Kangaroos were on top, but the game was far from over and rain was the last thing they needed to spoil their hard work of the first three days.

Umpires were forced to take an early tea at Brisbane as a thunderstorm threatened to halt the game. The drizzle, however, stopped after play was halted for around half an hour. The break seemed to have benefitted the Aussie pacers as Starc removed Azhar Ali four overs after the break.

Play was stopped yet again after that wicket, but this time it was a passing shower and Australia were more relaxed this time around having finally broken through the tough partnership.

#1 Asad Shafiq takes the fight to the Aussies

Can Shafiq lead his side to an unlikely victory?

If Australia thought they had the game in the bag after getting past Younis Khan and Azhar Ali, they were in for a rude awakening. Pakistan's most dependable batsman in Tests these days, Shafiq showed grit and patience in a mature knock, remaining unbeaten on 100.

Aided by some exemplary fight by Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir, Shafiq played with freedom and authority. Rather than getting bogged down, Shafiq decided to play positively and it paid rich dividends as Australia failed to dismiss him.

At 382/8, Pakistan are 108 away but have already crossed the highest fourth-innings total at the Gabba. After their first innings melodrama, this kind of fightback was something Australia least expected. They haven't seen much of Asad Shafiq but will know they need his wicket pretty early tomorrow to avoid another embarrassing loss.