Tailender Mitchell Johnson was unbeaten on 54 at tea as Australia fought a desperate battle to hold on until stumps on day five of the first Test against Pakistan.

Set a world-record target of 438 to win, Australia were 8-196 with one session to play in Dubai on a pitch that is offering substantial turn out of the bowlers’ footmarks.

Steve Smith (55) and Johnson have shared the highest partnership of the innings, adding 65 for the eighth wicket.

Australia had resumed on their overnight score of 4-59.

Michael Clarke’s side staggered to the lunch interval at 7-117 on Sunday after losing the wickets of Chris Rogers (43), Mitchell Marsh (three) and Brad Haddin (duck).

In a tense post-lunch session, Smith smashed a chance to short cover on 44 which was put down by Misbah-ul-Haq.

Johnson was dropped on 23 at deep backward square leg by Ahmed Shehzad and Yasir Shah misjudged a high chance at backward square leg when Johnson was on 25.

Smith batted for almost four hours and hung his head in disappointment after chipping a catch to short leg at 8-170.

Tailender Johnson’s ninth Test half-century came off 104 balls. The left-hander has struck six fours and one six in a performance that has given Australia a slim hope of a claiming a remarkable draw.

Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar (4-71) and legspinner Yasir Shah (3-42) have claimed seven of the eight wickets to fall.

Haddin’s dismissal, bowled by a straight one from Zulfiqar, followed skipper Clarke’s overnight warning about playing for spin that’s not there.

“The spin is a little bit inconsistent and I think that’s probably what has caught us out,” Clarke said on Saturday night.

“Guys have played for spin and a lot of us have been out to balls that actually haven’t spun too much.”

Australia’s concerns ahead of Thursday’s second Test in Abu Dhabi would include the double failure of No.3 Alex Doolan (5 and 0) and the lack of penetration from spinners Steve O’Keefe (4-219) and Nathan Lyon (2-220).

Pakistan declared on 2-286 in their second innings on Saturday after centuries from Ahmed Shehzad and Younis Khan, his second of the match.