Butt, the only Pakistan batsman to come to terms with conditions in the first innings with a well-crafted 63, relished the sun and an increasingly benign pitch when Pakistan began their second innings. He drove deftly and ran swiftly to reach his 10th Test half-century with nine fours.
Leg-spinner Steven Smith was finally thrown the ball in his debut Test and was gifted his first wicket when Imran Farhat (24) pulled a long hop straight to Shane Watson at mid-wicket.
Smith may have an important part to play on Friday as it was clear how much easier batting became when the sun came out with only seven wickets falling compared to 15 on the previous day.
"I think he looked really good, I think he started very well," Paine told a news conference.
"When he went around the wicket he started to spin a few quite a long way so I think he will definitely play a role at some stage tomorrow.
"It's probably a decent batting wicket now. If the sun's out and the ball's not swinging it's definitely a lot easier but I think we will create enough chances to definitely be in the game and give ourselves a good chance of winning," Paine added.
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