Dubai: Sarfraz Ahmad stole the show with a whirlwind century to steer Pakistan to an impressive total of 454 on the second day of the first Test against Australia at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

Playing all the shots in the book, Sarfraz reached his century in just 80 balls with 14 boundaries — making it his country’s fourth-fastest century in Tests after Majid Khan (74 balls) and Shahid Afridi (78 balls twice).

Sarfraz’s 109 and his 124-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Ahmad Shafiq (89) gave Pakistan the big total skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, who returned to form with an elegant 69, so badly wanted to put Australia under pressure.

Pakistan racked up 235 runs in just two sessions — after resuming on 219 for four — despite Mitchell Johnson giving away only 39 runs from his 31 overs, with 18 maidens and three wickets.

Though Australia could not restrict Pakistan to a moderate total, their openers David Warner and Chris Rogers provided a stupendous start to their first innings, putting on an unbroken 117 runs partnership before the close. Warner was in full flow and recorded his fifth consecutive Test half-century and his eighth overall.

Rogers, who was dropped by Younis Khan at slip off Zulfiqar Babar on 13, was unbeaten on 31 with Warner on 75 from 77 balls with seven boundaries and a six.

Misbah, who wanted a score of over 400, batted with determination and patience while inspiring his teammate Shafiq to do the same.

The pair refused to take any risks against Johnson, but picked up runs from the other end, especially off the spinners. Misbah brought up his 26th Test half-century by sweeping Nathan Lyon to square leg. It must have been a relief for Misbah, who had been struggling for form, to get his first fifty for nine innings.

Shafiq, inspired by his skipper, started going for his shots. He used his feet beautifully to pick the gaps, especially against Lyon.

But, when Shafiq was four runs short of his half-century, Misbah mistimed a lofted shot off Steve Smith and was caught by Johnson at long-on. The pair had put on 93 runs in 31.5 overs.

Sarfraz began in style, hitting his first ball to the long-on boundary. Two balls later, he cut Smith to the third-man boundary. It was the start of an aggressive knock that shocked the Australians.

Sarfraz even took a boundary off Johnson and fearlessly stepped out to Lyon to collect easy boundaries, while also hitting Steve O’Keefe for a six over long-on. Shafiq soon registered his tenth Test half-century as runs flowed at a brisk rate.

Shafiq hit his second six off O’Keefe over the bowler’s head, but fell to the next ball when giving Mitchell Marsh his first catch in Test cricket at square leg for 89. The pair had put on 124 from just 127 balls and steered Pakistan past the 400-run mark.

Sarfraz raced to his century through a boundary off Marsh and celebrated his second Test hundred by roaring towards the dressing room after whipping off his helmet. Delighted coach Waqar Younis applauded his knock but signalled him to keep scoring more.

Yasir Shah, making his Test debut, lasted only 15 balls before becoming another O’Keefe victim.

Sarfraz too did not stay much longer and got stumped by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off Lyon while attempting a sweep. Rahat Ali became Lyon’s second victim and the innings came to an end when Zulfiqar Babar was unable to resume his innings due to an injury to his hand that required stitches after being hit by a Johnson delivery.