Little option but a draw in Test: Smith

Steve Smith admits he can't see beyond an inevitable day-five draw in Rawalpindi after being left to lament his own gilt-edged chance of a Test ton on a benign pitch on his return to Pakistan.

Australia will resume on day five at 7-449 in their first innings, still trailing Pakistan by 27 runs in a game that had any life sapped out of it long ago.

Even Smith, one of the great lovers of cricket, seemed devoid of answers when asked how any result could still be possible headed into the final day.

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"I'm honestly not really sure at present," he said.

"I guess we'll have a chat ... and see if there's a way we can set the game up.

"Hopefully the tail can stay out there for a while and if they do, score pretty quickly.

"We could set a half-decent total, get 100 in front, and you never know with this game."

Smith, though, is certain of one thing: the pitch has not done enough to offer up a proper contest between bat and ball.

Just 11 wickets have fallen in as many sessions of cricket, with the ICC's rating sure to be of interest.

The situation is made all the more bizarre by the fact Rawalpindi has traditionally been the best wicket for quicks in Pakistan, with no score over 300 when South Africa played the hosts there last year.

"It's pretty benign. It's not a great deal of pace and bounce in it for the seamers," Smith said.

"The spinners have offered a little bit. When you pick the right length there has been a little bit of natural variation.

"I thought it would break up a little bit more, probably turn a bit more from the start but it hasn't done so.

"There's not very much balance, not a great deal of pace.

"If you bowl stump-to-stump and set a straight field