New Delhi, November 24:

India’s spinners bowled out Pakistan’s top order in their second innings on Saturday, giving the hosts a narrow advantage after three days of the first Test.

Captain and leg-spinner Anil Kumble (3-55) and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (2-52) shared the spoils as Pakistan were reduced to 212-5 despite a strong start. Pakistan are now 167 runs ahead after India led by 45 runs in the first innings.

Misbah-ul-Haq (29 not out) and Kamran Akmal (21 not out) added 51 runs for the sixth wicket and will carry Pakistan’s hopes into the fourth day. Pakistan were all out for 231 in the first innings and India replied with 276.

Pakistan opener Salman Butt batted for three and half hours to post a watchful 67. He shared a 71-run opening partnership with Yasir Hameed (36) before Kumble struck. Pakistan staged a fine recovery to reach 108-1 at lunch.

Saturday’s last session saw India gain the upper hand as Kumble trapped Younis Khan (23) leg before and induced an edge from Butt into the hands of lone slip fielder Rahul Dravid.

Singh snared key batsman Mohammad Yousuf, whose miscued drive gave the bowler a return catch on 18, and then clean bowled skipper Shoaib Malik for 11. It could have got better for India, but Misbah got a reprieve on one when Wasim Jaffer spilled a catch at short-leg. Misbah struck two sixes and a four off 34 deliveries.

Earlier, spinner Danish Kaneria (4-59) ran through the India tail. India’s top-scorer Laxman (72 not out) shared a 54-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Kumble (24). Laxman struck eight boundaries from 135 deliveries in his four-hour knock.