Unlike what was expected, the Boxing Day Test is evenly poised at the end of day two. With Australia having lost half their side for a score of just over 200, Pakistan are in with a chance to gain the upper hand if they can apply some pressure on the Australian batting line-up. This is where they have often faltered in the past. But if they have to square the series 1-1, their bowling performance on day three will be most crucial.

Pakistan, going into the game with Yousuf Youhana as skipper, stood up to McGrath and co to post a challenging total. It could have been still better had the Aussies not cleaned up the Pakistani tail. The stand-in skipper played an outstanding knock to take Pakistan past 300- a major achievement after their miniscule scores at Perth.

Earlier, the young but extremely talented Salman Butt began Pakistan's revival in the series with a belligerent 70 before losing his wicket to a run-out. The Pakistani opener has the herculean task of stepping into the shoes of the legendary Saeed Anwar. Pakistan have struggled to find a solid opening pair since Anwar and Aamir Sohail were separated. The likes of Wajahtullah Wasti, Imran Nazir, Mohammed Wasim and a few other youngsters were tried out, and for some time it looked like Nazir was the one to stay. But the talented opener kept throwing his wicket time and again without making substantial contributions. Lately, Imran Farhat and Taufiq Umar had a steady partnership for a good period of a year. But they were plagued by injuries and inconsistency. Butt has showed enough promise and in addition seems to have a good head on his shoulders. His hundred in the 'Platinum Jubilee' game against India gave us ample proof of what the left-hander is capable of. It is important now that he finds a permanent partner at the other end as constant shifting and changing at the top of the order is only a recipe for disaster.

After the good start given by Butt and Farhat (20), we saw another of those famous Pakistani batting collapses. But this time, Australia ran into a rock called 'Yousuf Youhana'. The most experienced player in the side in the absence of Inzi, the 30-year old was in supreme touch on way to his 12th Test hundred and first against the world champions. A knock of the highest order, Youhana brought up his 100 in only 117 balls before being stumped off Shane Warne. But by the time he left, Pakistan had progressed to an impressive 286/4.

The stand-in skipper was ably supported by Younis Khan, another experienced but under-rated middle-order batsman. Khan, who was Pakistan's lone saving grace with the bat at Perth, again batted with his usual resolve and assurance, and helped Youhana play freely. Their 192-run partnership was dominated by Youhana, but Younis' contribution should not be underestimated. After being out of the team owing to a poor run of scores, Younis has come back as a more determined cricketer. His 87 in this crucial tie substantiates this fact.

Pakistan somewhat lost the initiative early on the second day as they collapsed for 318/6 to 341 all out. Abdul Razzaq payed the most bizarre knock of his life, remaining not out on a painfully made 4 of 78 balls. Once again, after having the opposition on the mat, it seemed like the visitors had let the advantage slip. But Shoaib Akhtar had other plans. Probably fired up by McGrath's remarks on him being only a 'showman', Akhtar dismissed Hayden for the third time in three consecutive Tests. Softening him up with shorter deliveries, the fiery fast bowler finally got his man as Hayden flirted at a short wide delivery outside off-stump. Ricky Ponting too went for a pull shot and mistimed the hit.

The in-form Justin Langer and Damien Martyn then steadied the ship by getting fighting half centuries. Danish Kaneria bowling with guile and accuracy finally got the breakthrough for Pakistan. Having just completed his 50, Langer played his favourite sweep shot, only to lob a simple catch to the man positioned behind square. The opener who had got scores of 191 and 97 at Perth, was livid with himself as he knew he had given Pakistan an opening.

At the other end, Martyn continued with his crackling form notching up yet another half-century. But Pakistan kept picking wickets at regular intervals. Akhtar dismissed the out-of-touch Darren Lehman with yet another snorter while Kaneria foxed the young, energetic Clarke into a false shot. Gilchrist and Martyn then saw the team through to the end without any further damage.

Now it all depends on who takes the initiative and builds pressure on the opposition Australia, as always will be expected to fight back through Martyn and Gilchrist and also the tail providing adequate sting at the end of the innings. Pakistan too have a great chance to put pressure on the opposition by cleaning them up early on day three. For that, Akhtar will have to reproduce his 'day two' magic and all the others too will have to raise their games a notch or two.

For a change, we can expect a close contest at Melbourne unlike the totally one-sided game at Perth. But do the Pakistanis have enough firepower to blow away the hosts? Let's wait and watch.