MULTAN, March 30: India strengthened their grip on the first Test as Pakistan struggled to 364 for six in their first innings on the third day at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Pakistan still need 112 runs to avoid the follow-on with only recognized batsman Abdul Razzaq and the four bowlers left to avoid the humiliation of being followed on.

Despite scoring 322 runs, it was a disappointing day for Pakistan when Sachin Tendulkar bowled Moin Khan between his legs for 17 off the last ball of the day to end a 43-run stand for the sixth wicket with Razzaq, who returned unbeaten on 47.

The Pakistani batsmen in general, with the exception of Inzamamul Haq and Yasir Hameed, failed to rise to the occasion as wickets kept falling at regular intervals in equal proportions in each of the three sessions.

Up against the highest ever total - 675 for five declared - made by India against them, Pakistan's batting was unconvincing apart from Inzamam and Yasir. Openers Imran Farhat and Taufiq Umar, who had put 42 on Monday, resumed against Irfan Pathan and Zaheer Khan.

Taufiq, who was dropped by Virender Sehwag at leg slip late on the second day, looked shaky before being caught at first slip by Rahul Dravid for 23 in the eighth over of the morning to give young Pathan his first Test wicket in Pakistan.

Imran was joined by Yasir but more trouble was in store for the home team soon after. Imran, who had looked like putting up gritty resistance, played across the line to Lakshmipathy Balaji's second ball of the day, and trapped in front of the stumps for 38.

Yasir and Inzamam then saw out the rest of the opening session without any further loss to take the score to 137 for two at the lunch interval. After the break, both batsmen changed the tempo. Inzamam played attractive strokes on both sides of the square with Yasir providing good support from the other end. Pakistan's 200 came up in the first hour after lunch.

However, just when some parity was being restored, India struck two telling blows. The persevering Anil Kumble, who had bowled unchanged during the afternoon session, had the Pakistan skipper caught by Akash Chopra at forward short leg in contentious circumstances.

Inzamam looked visibly dejected when umpire Simon Taufel raised his finger and walked off slowly towards the pavilion. TV replays proved inconclusive to suggest that Inzamam was unlucky.

The Pakistan captain, who made centuries in the past two Tests on this ground against Bangladesh, struck 13 boundaries in his 77 off 118 balls while adding 160 in 153 minutes for the third wicket with Yasir.

Yasir, who delighted a small crowd of about 2000 with some forceful strokes, edged a wide delivery from Pathan to Parthiv Patel nine short of what would have been his third Test century.

The 25-year-old cracked 14 boundaries in his 194-minute 91 off 151 balls. Sensing a collapse, Dravid opted for the second new ball. But both Yousuf Youhana and Razzaq treaded cautiously in reconstructing the innings.

The pair added 78 before Zaheer broke through by having Youhana caught down the leg-side by Patel for 35 and the last blow was the wicket of Moin that certainly tilted the balance in India's favour.

Scoreboard