Australian opener Matt Renshaw was being assessed overnight for possible concussion after being struck in the helmet for the second time in three days, on an afternoon in which a rejuvenated Nathan Lyon inched the hosts closer towards clinching a series clean sweep.
After Lyon claimed three wickets to leave Pakistan 8-271, still trailing by 267, it is only the indefatigable Younis Khan, unbeaten on 136, who continues to keep Australia at bay in the third Test.Â
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A Younis Khan century was the only highlight for Pakistan on a rain affected day three, the visitors in danger of following on as Australia took a further six wickets.
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Wickets continue to tumble for Pakistan
A Younis Khan century was the only highlight for Pakistan on a rain affected day three, the visitors in danger of following on as Australia took a further six wickets.
It was unclear on Thursday night whether Renshaw would be cleared to resume playing after he withdrew from the field with a headache. One of two Australian players who left the ground and did not return – wicketkeeper Matthew Wade fell ill and was replaced behind the stumps by Peter Handscomb – the 20-year-old had earlier been hit on the helmet while fielding at short leg. Australian assistant coach David Saker he would continue to be monitored overnight.
"These days with head knocks you've got to take them quite seriously," Saker said. "He'll be assessed and we'll just deal with that in the morning."
It was the second nasty blow to the head Renshaw had copped in the match. On day one he had lost his footing as he was clattered by a Mohammad Amir bouncer, leaving the grille of his helmet bent and forcing it to be replaced. He was given the green light to continue by team doctor Peter Brukner and soon after completed his maiden hundred. Â
On Thursday he was hit by a ball belted by Pakistan's Sarfaz Ahmed as he stood close to the bat.
"Matthew complained of a headache," Brukner said. "He came off the ground to rest and is having an ongoing assessment of his condition." With two substitutes on the ground – Test squad member Jackson Bird and emerging NSW fast bowler Nic Bills – Lyon had his tail up as Smith turned to him from the Randwick End.
He looked the man most likely to trouble Younis in an absorbing contest and while the 39-year-old remained elusive Lyon was rewarded with a trio of wickets. The Australians in particular liked what they saw with the sharp turn he gathered in bowling Wahab Riaz through the gate late in the day.
"It was a beautiful off-spinner's wicket," Saker said. "That was really pleasing to see it spin that much. I thought he bowled really well today.
"He obviously felt a little bit of pressure on him because of the results he didn't want but we thought he'd been unlucky at times. He hasn't bowled on wickets that have helped him all that much this summer. To come out and do what he did in Melbourne...and then he's come out today and bowled like he did, I think he'd be over the moon."
Pakistan are similarly pleased for Younis about the feat he completed on Thursday. The veteran's 34th Test ton gives him at least one in 11 countries – the 10 Test-playing nations and the United Arab Emirates, which Pakistan call home for security reasons. A true modern giant of the game Younis resumes on Friday with another milestone in reach. He is only 75 runs away from becoming the 13th batsman to compile 10,000 Test runs.Â
"He has been a great servant for Pakistan," said opener Azhar Ali, who was run out for 71 but whose 395 runs at 98.75 make him the most successful Pakistan batsman ever on a tour of Australia. "It's probably his last tour of Australia so for him to achieve this in the last Test here we are  we are really happy for him."Â
Pakistan need another 68 runs to avoid the follow-on, although Saker forecast that Australia likely bat again to get more wear in the pitch.
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