Australia and Pakistan both have reason to be confident of early success on day two of the second cricket Test at the MCG.

Pakistan will resume at 6-318 with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal on 16 and allrounder Abdul Razzaq on one and their side hopeful of eking out another 100 runs to put Australia under pressure.

But Australia's bowlers, who picked up 3-32 in the final session on Sunday, showed how quickly they could get on top of the visitors in the first Test in Perth and will be after a repeat performance.

A swift removal of the tail would have Australia well-placed after Pakistan dominated day one.

Both sides will also be hopeful the forecast showers stay away and do not threaten what should continue to be a good contest.

The stars of Pakistan's innings were stand-in captain Yousuf Youhana, who made 111 and featured in a 192-run fourth-wicket stand with Younis Khan, who made 87.

Opener Salman Butt (70) was also among the runs, while Jason Gillespie (3-72) was the pick of the Australian bowlers.

Youhana scored his 12th Test century - and first against Australia - after being told on Christmas Day he would lead the side in place of injured captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who has a back problem.

Australian opener Justin Langer will get the chance to prove he is over his back problem, when he opens the innings with Matthew Hayden.

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