Pak coach Waqar says Test is wide open despite Ponting heroics

Ricky Ponting became only the second batsman in history to score 12,000 Test runs as he led Australia's recovery in the second and final Test against Pakistan at Headingley yesterday.

Australia were 136 for two in their second innings, just 34 behind, when bad light forced an early close on the second day.

Ponting, the Australia captain, was 61 not out ufffd the first fifty of the match on either side ufffd and Michael Clarke 32 not out following a wicketless final session.

Ponting's innings saw him get the 40 runs he needed to join India great Sachin Tendulkar as the only other batsman to have broken through the 12,000 Test runs barrier.

His stand with Clarke was worth 81 ufffd almost as many as Australia made when dismissed for just 88 in a dramatic first innings collapse.

Australia had been 170 behind on first innings after Pakistan made 258.

All-rounder Shane Watson took six wickets for 33 runs in 11 overs ufffd the second time in as many matches he'd taken Test-best figures ufffd as Pakistan failed to bat Australia out of the game.

Australia have won their last 13 Tests against Pakistan and in January triumphed by 36 runs at Sydney despite a first innings deficit of 206.

But Pakistan coach Waqar Younis insisted his team still had every chance of breaking a losing streak against Australia dating back to 1995.

"It's sort of even at the moment," said the former Pakistan fast bowler.

"We've still got 34 runs to play with and if we can pick up a couple of wickets early on (Friday) we can swing the match back in our favour.

"Under 200 is still chaseable on this pitch."

And as for memories of Sydney, preying on Pakistani minds, a defiant Waqar said: "We had this sort of situation in Sydney but this is still a very open game for us.

"Australia are very tough when it come to these sorts of situations but we have got to make sure we are tougher."

However, Watson added: "It might bring back some memories for Pakistan of that Test in Sydney. They know our fighting spirit and it might creep into their minds."

Waqar praised Ponting's landmark innings.

"You've got to give him credit, 12,000 runs, he's a class act and a dangerman for us," Waqar said.

An edged four to third man off left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer took Ponting to the 12,000 milestone on a ground where he made his first Test hundred back in 1997.