Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI was in solid position as they scored 369 runs for the loss of four wickets on third day of the 4-day practice match against a toothless Pakistan bowling attack in Canberra on Friday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Trailing still by 24 runs while chasing down visitors’ first innings total of 391, PM XI’s Matt Renshaw was unbeaten on 136.

At stumps on Day Three, PM's XI are 367-4, trailing by 24 runs 🏏#PMXIvPAK | #AUSvPAK https://t.co/i9PmJa666f pic.twitter.com/jId88IVO7C

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 8, 2023

Pakistani bowlers failed to crack up batting line-up of Prime Minister’s XI on day three.

Cameron Green's impressive hand ends on 46 thanks to a sharp catch from Sarfaraz Ahmed #PMXIvPAK pic.twitter.com/CU4tdBbgt1

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2023

Matt Renshaw hit an unbeaten 136 against Pakistan in a timely reminder to Australian selectors Friday of his credentials to take over from David Warner when the veteran quits Test cricket.

The 27-year-old Renshaw resumed day three for the Prime Minister's XI on 18 and patiently compiled his century from 251 balls.

It helped steer the home side to 367-4 at stumps in Canberra, 24 runs behind Pakistan, who declared at 391-9 on the back of skipper Shan Masood's 201 not out.

The four-day match at Manuka Oval has been billed as a "bat-off" to replace the opener Warner, with Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris also in contention.

Warner has indicated he plans to quit the longer format after the third Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January.

Bancroft and Harris got the nod to open ahead of Renshaw, but failed to build big scores, out for 53 and 49 respectively.

Renshaw, who has been in and out of Australia's side in a 14-Test career across seven years, grabbed his chance at number three, cracking eight fours and a six.

All-rounder Cameron Green, who is also fighting to regain a Test spot, made 46 before being caught by wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed off Faheem Ashraf.

Skipper Nathan McSweeney departed for 40 while Beau Webster was not-out 21.

Bancroft joins Harris back in the sheds, pinned on the crease by Khurram Shahzad#PMXIvPAK pic.twitter.com/dnvfcKdhXA

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 7, 2023

On Thursday, Cameron Bancroft hit 53 and Marcus Harris 49 against Pakistan in their quest to become Australia's new Test opener, but neither was able to push on and make a big score. They helped the Prime Minister's XI reach 149-2 at stumps in Canberra to trail by 242 in Pakistan's only warm-up match before the three-Test series starting in Perth next week.

The visitors declared at 391-9 after captain Shan Masood completed a double century, having resumed day two of the four-day game at Manuka Oval on 156, smashing 14 fours and six in his 201 not out.

Billed as a "bat-off" to replace David Warner, Bancroft and Harris got the nod to open ahead of Matt Renshaw, who is also a contender to fill the void left by the veteran when he retires.

Warner has indicated he plans to quit the longer format after the third Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January, his home venue.

Bancroft, best known for his role in the notorious "Sandpaper-gate" ball-tampering scandal in 2018, was patient in building a half-century before he was trapped lbw by Khurram Shahzad.

Harris, who has been in and around the Test side since his debut in 2018, fell short of his 50 when caught by Shahzad at mid-off from the spin of Abrar Ahmed.

Renshaw was not out 18 and Cameron Green was unbeaten on 19.

Series schedule

First Test: December 14-18, Perth

Second Test: December 26-30, Melbourne

Third Test: January 3-7, Sydney