Teams playing Australia are told not to give Ricky Ponting a chance ever. He is a great fighter and will make you pay dearly for letting himself off. Ponting is going through one of his worst batting slump. Pakistani bowlers have put him under a cosh much throughout this series with scores of 57, 12, 0 and 11. Pakistan gave Ricky Ponting a big let off yesterday when he was yet to open his account. Ponting batted, batted and batted to the utmost discomfort of the Pakistanis. At his home ground Ponting continued from where he had left on day one. Ponting brought up his 150 off 272 balls early on and batted in his trademark style. Some of the boundaries that he hit were a sight to savour because of the way in which he caressed the balls in the gaps. Pakistan again missed a chance to get rid of Ponting with another dropped catch in the first session. The chance came when Ponting was on 167 after the Tasmanian launched a full-blooded cover drive off Kaneria which went straight through the hands of Imran Farhat. Much like day one, Ponting was in total command dealing with fast bowlers and spinners with consummate ease. Pontings partnership grew with Michael Clarke and they knitted a mammoth stand of 352 runs for the fourth wicket to shunt Pakistan out of the game. Both batsmen complimented each other well and added runs almost at will. Ponting reached his fifth Test double hundred soon after Clarke had departed. The stylish Australian batsmen needed 342 balls to reach the milestone. This was his first double hundred since 2005 as he became the first batsman to score a double hundred at Hobart. Ponting was eventually dismissed by Mohammad Aamer when he tried to up the pace of runs to declare later on. He made 209 off 354 balls with 25 fours (exactly 100 runs coming in boundaries). Ponting made excellent use of his chances and his innings has propelled Australia to a position of strength. Pakistan in doldrums For second successive day, the Australians have continued their dominance. They started the day in firm control and their position strengthened further with every passing hour. The overnight not out Australian duo of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke continued to bat aggressively. Ponting brought up his 150 off 272 balls while Clarke followed suit soon after reaching the milestone just before lunch. The hosts went into lunch at a commanding 393-3. After the interval Australians upped the tempo seeing a declaration sometimes later. Clarke fell in the process but not before posting his highest Test score of 166 off 328 balls including 19 fours. The Aussie skipper eventually fell for a very well made 209 off 354 balls including 25 fours. Australians declared at 519-8. For Pakistan Danish Kaneria took three wickets while Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer took two wickets each. Pakistan were finally at the crease two sessions into day two of the third Test. In pursuit of this large total Pakistan started off cautiously with openers Imran Farhat and Salman Butt adding 63 for the first wicket. However Peter Siddles one over changed the complexion of Pakistans innings when in a space of four balls he removed Imran Farhat and Khurram Manzoor. There was more to follow as Mohammad Yousuf was run out and then Umar Akmal went as Pakistan plunged to 84-4 with Australia in total control. Salman Butt was involved in both run outs and it summed up Pakistans desperate day very well. Pakistan ended the day at 94-4 with still 425 runs in arrears and needing another 226 runs to avoid the follow-on. It is going to be a very big ask for the visitors. The overall body language of Pakistanis didnt look positive and then some appalling batting and running between the wickets added to the already bleak situation. Pakistan have pushed the self-destruct button yet again as Australians look on course for another whitewash.