The pair's 103-run second wicket partnership took the tourists to 130 for one in their second innings - an overall lead of 158.

The Aussies lead the three match series 1-0.

Earlier, Taylor's opposite number Aamir Sohail had been instrumental in guiding his side to within 28 runs of Australia's first innings total of 280 with a gutsy 133.

It was Sohail's fifth test century and second against Australia.

Despite suffering from a chest infection and high temperature, the Pakistan captain batted for a little under six hours and faced 272 balls.

His innings featured 18 boundaries and a six off leg spinner Stuart MacGill.

Sohail, 83 not out overnight, was involved in a 98-run seventh wicket partnership with former captain Wasim Akram after paceman Glenn McGrath had left Pakistan reeling at 69 for five on Friday evening.

The partnership ended when Akram was trapped leg before by MacGill for 35.

McGrath added the scalp of Shakeel Ahmad to finish with five for 66. It was the 10th time in 40 tests that he had bagged five wickets or more in an innings.

Sohail's defiant innings ended second ball after lunch when Langer took a spectacular catch at square leg off Colin Miller.

Australia's second innings saw a sticky start with Michael Slater out for 11, and Taylor experiencing several anxious moments in his 178-ball 64.

When he had made just four a Wasim Akram throw failed to hit the stumps at the non-striker's end with the Australian skipper stranded in the middle of the pitch.

Then on 25 he survived a very close bat-and-pad decision off Arshad Khan. Television replays suggested the ball had taken the edge of Taylor's bat.

He was let off again by Aamir Sohail at square leg when he had made 56.

The tourists shrugged off the loss of Slater with Langer playing a watchful, patient innings, scoring his runs from 123 balls with just two fours and a six off Shakeel Ahmad.

He was on 45 at the close of play with his skipper on 64.

Scorecard

Pakistan First Innings Continued (overnight 170-6)

• Aamer Sohail c Langer b Miller133
• Wasim Akram lbw MacGill 35
• Shakeel Ahmed c Langer b McGrath 1
• Arshad Khan lbw MacGill 7
• Shoaib Akhtar not out 6

• Extras (6b, 5lb, 1w, 5nb) 17

Total (all out, 89.4 overs) 252

Fall: 7-214, 8-239, 9-240

Bowling: McGrath 25-6-66-5, Miller 14-2-53-1, MacGill 25.4-5-64-3, Robertson 22-4-46-1, Lehmann 1-0-6-0, S R Waugh 2-0-6-0,

Australia Second Innings:

• M A Taylor not out 64
• M J Slater c Yousuf Youhana b Arshad Khan 11
• J L Langer not out 45

• Extras (1b, 3lb, 6nb) 10

Total (1 wicket, 53 overs) 130

Fall: 1-27

To bat: M E Waugh, S R Waugh, D S Lehmann, +I A Healy, G R Robertson, S C G MacGill, C R Miller, G D McGrath