Pakistan has taken command of the second cricket Test, piling on the runs as well as Ricky Ponting’s agonies.

The Australian skipper was made to suffer anew for his widely criticised decision to bat first on a green, damp deck as Pakistan, responding to Australia’s paltry 127, amassed a 204-run lead on day two.

As the sun emerged for the first time in the match, and most demons disappeared from the SCG pitch, the visitors were in control at 9-331 at stumps.

Despite a seven-wicket comeback in the final session, Australia now face a three-day struggle to prevent Pakistan from squaring the three-Test series 1-1.

It could have been much worse as Pakistan’s profligate middle and lower order batsmen threw away their wickets with rash shots after the top order had worked hard to establish dominance.

Asked if Australia might find it difficult to set Pakistan any sort of second-innings target, top-scoring opener Salman Butt (71) replied: “I hope so.”

Australia’s day started miserably when out-of-touch Marcus North grassed a simple slips chance when opener Imran Farhat was on 11.

Farhat went on to notch a half-century as Pakistan’s opening pair put on a hundred and all but wiped out Australia’s first-innings tally on their own.

Captain Mohammad Yousuf and exciting teenager Umar Akmal both made handy contributions before falling just short of half-centuries.

Umar was dismissed for a run-a-ball 49 after Ponting successfully challenged umpire Billy Doctrove’s not out ruling on a Doug Bollinger lbw shout.

The big-hearted Bollinger was the pick of Australia’s bowlers, finishing the day with three wickets for 70.

Mitchell Johnson was rewarded with two top-order scalps and Shane Watson picked up two tail-enders.

Bollinger would not debate the merits of Ponting’s controversial day one toss decision, but said the Australian team was “110 per cent” behind the captain.

© AAP 2012

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