Against the Prime Minister's XI at Manuka Oval, new captain Shan Masood and star man Babar Azam combined for a 92-run partnership to leave the tourists in the strong position of 3-181 at tea on day one.
Masood has made a statement in his first innings since assuming the captaincy, blasting six fours and a six in his unbeaten 81.
Azam played a patient role at the other end and made 40 before tickling a Jordan Buckingham delivery down the leg side and into the gloves of keeper Jimmy Peirson.
Pakistan quickly put the poor dismissal of opener Abdullah Shafique (38) shortly before lunch behind them, after he lazily pushed a Mark Steketee delivery to short cover.
But Babar's similarly soft dismissal was not what the side needed as they prepare to face the world Test champions Australia in Perth starting next week.
South Australia speedster Buckingham removed the other opener Imam-ul-Haq for nine, with a beautiful delivery that jagged back off a length and found an inside edge.
Masood, who was handed the leadership in the wake of Pakistan's World Cup exit last month, looked immediately comfortable in the nation's capital and played some glorious cut shots in his unbeaten half-century.
The PM XI's Jordan Buckingham celebrates one of his two early wickets against Pakistan in Canberra. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)
The battle to become Australia's next Test opener was put on hold when Masood won the toss and chose to bat.
The three-way 'bat-off' between Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw is set to highlight the clash, with each a contender to take David Warner's spot once the veteran opener retires this summer.
Bancroft, who tops the Sheffield Shield run-scoring stats this season after finishing as best batter last term, will open for the PM's side with Harris, who's played 14 Tests for Australia.
Renshaw was selected earlier this year for the Test series in India, but has not opened for the national team since 2018.
Allrounder Cameron Green, looking to force his way past Mitchell Marsh and back into the Test side, will also be keen to rack up some runs against the tourists.
Green hasn't bowled in the first two sessions of play.
Pakistan named the same top six that played in their most recent Test, against Sri Lanka in July, but have unleashed uncapped bowling duo Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad.
Star quick Shaheen Shah Afridi has been rested.
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