Young Aussies remain a cricketing work in progress

It's only a crazy outside chance but imagine if Pakistan wins.

Australian captain Steve Smith leaves the field at stumps on day four at the Gabba. Picture: DAVE HUNT

CRICKET: Pakistan's stunning Gabba fightback has reinforced to Australia the rugged challenges that will continually stalk their young Test team.

A sense of numb disbelief swept the Gabba on Sunday night. People were saying to each other "they couldn't ... could they?''

The fact that a world-record loss cannot be totally discounted is a chastening thought. It's only a crazy outside chance but imagine if Pakistan wins.

Where would Australian cricket be then?

For most of the night Pakistan were looking unstoppable chasing a target no-one has got near in 140 years of Test cricket. They were making the ridiculous look routine, which was ridiculous in itself.

No matter what happens on Monday afternoon this game is a sobering reminder for Australia of the steep road ahead.

Wins will be hard-earned. Progress at times will be slow. Patience will be essential. Nothing will come easily. Certain wins will turn to possible losses.

Back in the halcyon days of Warne and McGrath Australia went through a period where it seemed unusual when a Test reached the fourth day.

But where once there was a hatchet now there is sandpaper.

Australia will have to get used to holding their nerve and having that nerve ruthlessly tested.

And they won't have the luxury of winning matches through the force of their aura.

The word's out. Australia are gettable.

Pakistan's Wahab Riaz plays a shot past Australia's Peter Handscomb, left, during play on day four. Picture: Tertius Pickard

This team, promising as it is, will not be able to shout "boo'' and watch the opposition wobble at the knees.

Even the brilliant Steve Smith, with a million things going on inside his head, will feel it as he did on Sunday night when he dropped two catches as Pakistan shocked Australia with the force of their comeback.

In bygone eras Mohammad Amir and Asad Shafiq might have walked to the wicket against Australia at the Gabba as timidly as naughty children arriving at the headmaster's office.

But the fear factor just wasn't there.

Pakistan batted brilliantly and boldly under lights, racing off a partnership of 92 at almost five per over with sensible, confident shot play.

Amir was averaging 12 at Test level before Sunday's innings, yet there he was, slashing Mitchell Starc through and over slips, handsomely driving Jackson Bird back past him and slog-sweeping Nathan Lyon to the fence.

Pakistan, so dreadful in the first innings, have done a Pakistan by losing just six wickets on Sunday in an outstanding performance.

Pakistan batsman Asad Shafiq reacts after scoring a century on day four. Picture: DAVE HUNT

The night terrors of Friday were non-existent.

Brisbane was always the game they feared most with its bouncy deck, the limited nature of their preparation and the unfamiliarity of night cricket.

They will be more settled by Melbourne and their luckless leg-spinner Yasir Shah is hoping to fill his boots in Sydney.

Australia is lacking an all-rounder and that seems to put pressure on the attack, especially when the game is stagnating.

Australia looked a bowler short and by the end of a marathon session their bowlers looked tired.

It's a good thing there is no Test this week but after a week's break back-to-back Tests take place in Melbourne and Sydney.