Melbourne - Steven Smith's unbeaten century helped Australia take a 22-run lead over Pakistan on a rain-affected fourth day of the second Test in Melbourne on Thursday.
Smith was on a round 100 and Mitchell Starc on seven as Australia reached 465 for 6 in reply to Pakistan's 443/9 declared before rain stopped play just before the scheduled tea break. Smith reached his fourth Test ton of the year and 17th overall before a storm hit the MCG, washing out the rest of the day's play.
He also reached another milestone during his knock as he crossed 1 000 runs in a calendar year for the third time in a row. The 27-year-old has now amassed 1 040 runs at 67.60 in 2016.
While Smith scored his century, Usman Khawaja missed his own by three runs earlier in the day. The left-handed batsman added just two runs to his overnight 95 when he nicked Wahab Riaz to Sarfraz Ahmed, the wicket-keeper, in the day's fifth over.
Nic Maddinson and Matthew Wade continued their poor form as Pakistan struck at regular intervals in the second session.
Maddinson was deceived by Yasir Shah's flight to be bowled for 22 after charging the leg-spinner down the track.
Soon, Wade edged Sohail Khan to the slip cordon for just nine.
Since his recall in the third Test against South Africa last month, Wade has scores of 4, 7, 1 not out and 9.
Peter Handscomb, though, gave Smith good company and scored his third half-century in three Tests. He had a reprieve when Mohammad Amir put down a tough return catch on 51, but three runs later, he cut Sohail straight to Sami Aslam at point.
It ended a 92-run association between Smith and Handscomb off just 141 balls.
Starc, who hit Shah for a 103 metre six to get off the mark, gave his captain company for the rest of the day's play.
Pakistan received a potential blow when Azhar Ali, who scored an unbeaten 205 in the first innings, received a fearsome hit on the helmet while fielding at forward short-leg and was taken off the field for observation.
A result looks unlikely with just Friday's final day left to play. Australia lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the Brisbane Test by 39 runs.