Bangalore, December 11:

Misbah-ul-Haq relished India’s attack with a second successive century to boost Pakistan’s hopes of forcing a draw in the third and final Test here on Tuesday.

The middle-order batsman followed his second-Test 161 with a brilliant 133 not out as Pakistan warded off a threat of follow-on to post 537 in their first innings in reply to India’s 626.

India were strongly placed to clinch their first Test series against Pakistan at home since 1980 after reaching 131-2 in their second innings at stumps on the penultimate day for an overall lead of 220. The hosts lead 1-0 in the series, with the final Test heading for a draw.

India lost openers Gautam Gambhir (three) and Wasim Jaffer (18) before former captains Sourav Ganguly (63 not out) and Rahul Dravid (35 not out) steadied the innings with an unfinished 105-run stand for the third wicket.

Misbah played a key role in two useful partnerships to thwart India, adding 144 for the sixth wicket with Kamran Akmal (65) and 93 for the next with debutant Yasir Arafat (44).

India’s 19-year-old seamer Ishant Sharma, playing only his second Test, claimed the last four wickets to finish with 5-118.

Needing 427 to make India bat again, Pakistan achieved their objective in the second hour of the morning during the Misbah-Akmal partnership.

Misbah hit 17 fours in his 322-ball knock. It was the second successive time Misbah and Akmal helped their team avoid the follow-on, having already done so in the drawn second Test in Kolkata.