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India's Rahul Dravid scored his first Test century against Pakistan as the visitors dominated the third and deciding Test in Rawalpindi.

Dravid rode his luck at times but played a dogged innings to hit 134 not out to put India in real contention on 342-4, 118 runs ahead.

VVS Laxman hit a rapid 71 and teenager Parthiv Patel, promoted up the order to opener, made a Test-best 69.

Shoaib Akhtar was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with 3-47.

Dravid survived a confident lbw shout by Mohammed Sami, was dropped by Yasir Hameed on 71 and was given the green light by the third umpire after Pakistan claimed a catch behind.

But his gritty determination steered India towards their first ever Test series win against Pakistan.

Resuming on 23-1, India started the day cautiously, scratching around for runs.

And Patel, controversially handed the opener's position ahead of Yuvraj Singh or captain Sourav Ganguly, was fortunate when he just made it back to his crease as Danish Kaneria's direct hit dislodged the bails.

Dravid and Patel put on 129 runs for the second wicket before the 19-year-old went, caught behind off Fazl-e-Akbar, just after the lunch interval.

The youngster played some classy shots on his way to 69 to fully justify his promotion.

In came Sachin Tendulkar but he departed almost immediately when Shoaib forced him into edging it to wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal for just one run.

Pakistan's tails were up but Laxman quelled the heat and proved just what a dangerous player he can be with 71 off 99 balls, including 12 fours.

Just when Laxman looked set for a huge score, Shoaib stunned him with a full toss which bowled him through the gates.

It brought Ganguly to the crease for the first time in this Test series and he was quickly into stride as India ran riot with the bat.

Ganguly did not look at all rusty as he finished the day on 53 not out.

Pakistan face an uphill task on Thursday and their problems have been further compounded after strike bowler Shoaib had to go off the field for treatment to a hand injury after falling whilst bowling.

And short-leg fielder Asim Kamal was also taken to hospital for precautionary X-rays after being hit on the elbow from point-blank range.

Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Imran Farhat, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Hameed, Yousuf Youhana, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Danish Kaneria, Fazl-e-Akbar.

India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Parthiv Patel, Irfan Pathan, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Anil Kumble, Ashish Nehra.

Umpires: David Shepherd (ENG), Rudi Koertzen (RSA)