Pakistan have begun their record chase of 351 in promising fashion, defying Australia to move to 0-73 ahead of the final day in the deciding third Test.
After Usman Khawaja’s fourth century of 2022, Pat Cummins brought Australia’s innings to close at 3-227 early in the final session on day four in Lahore.
The bold declaration on Thursday left Australia with 120 overs to bowl Pakistan out and claim the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, after the hosts survived for 172 overs to force a draw in the second Test.
But gritty openers Imam-ul-Haq (42 no) and Abdullah Shafique (27 no) have now given Pakistan a fighting chance of pulling off their biggest run-chase on home soil and securing a 1-0 series win.
If Pakistan are successful, it would comfortably top the 1994 team’s effort in chasing down 314 against Mark Taylor’s Australia in Karachi.
Continuing Steve Smith’s horror series in the field, an edge flew past him in slips in the final over of the day off Marnus Labuschagne’s bowling.
Despite Pakistan finishing strongly, the day belonged to Khawaja as the reborn opener continued his extraordinary form since being recalled to the Australian team three months ago,
The 35-year-old brought up the 12th Test ton of his career, adding to his 160 in the last Test in Karachi and his dual Ashes tons at the SCG in January.
Khawaja has now racked up 751 runs this year at an average of more than 125 in just five Tests.
Whatever the outcome in this Test, Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan, will surely be named player-of-the-series after hitting 496 runs at 165.33.
Travis Head joined Khawaja for a brief cameo after Smith’s dismissal for 17, smashing 11 in just seven balls before Cummins’ declaration.
After David Warner’s dismissal for 51 just before lunch, Khawaja combined for a 65-run stand with Labuschagne (36).
The No.3, who was out for a duck in the first-innings, fell to spinner Nauman Ali, bringing Smith to the crease.
The former Australia captain passed 8000 Test runs late in the session – the fastest man to achieve the feat in terms of innings, topping Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakarra.
Australia grabbed ascendancy late on Wednesday by storming through Pakistan’s lower-order as the hosts lost 7-20 in a dramatic collapse to be all-out for 268.
Khawaja and Warner continued the momentum started by quicks Cummins and Mitchell Starc by approaching their second-innings with an attacking intent.
The pair fell four runs short of their second century partnership of the series, with Warner adding another 50 to the 68 he hit in Rawalpindi.
The left-handers had to endure some tense moments during the first session after they both survived major scares when they should have been out.
Despite Pakistan’s bright start, Australia will take confidence out of having been able to make light work of the hosts batters from No.5 down in the first innings.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Maybe you're low literacy?
Mon
Guest
‘Nothing remarkable about scoring a century in the third innings…’ Didn’t need to read much more after this stupid comment.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
To win Pakistan has to post a record 2nd innings total at home. Is that not taken into account when declaring? Pakistan have only twice, ever, hit more than 350 in the 2nd innings. Their highest 2nd innings total at home was 314 vs Australia all the way back in 1994. Making the opposition have to beat their national record in order to win is about as defensive as it can be.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
C'mon, you must admit he invites those types of comments. :laughing: :laughing:
U
Roar Rookie
Yawn
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah when you set 350 at or under 3 per over, that is not defensive.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
He only played 5 Tests in the sub-continent before this series, for an average of 14.6. Never played in India.
matth
Roar Guru
Yes, but the person I'm replying to want 6 an over for 50 overs on this pitch.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
There’ll be criticism if they lose, but when you declare at 2/230 odd, you’ve hardly been beaten badly. Worth the risk. Also, better risk/reward ratio for World Test Championship points, even if series is more important.
Lukestar
Roar Rookie
Don't forget your tapal tea on a hot sub continent day.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
The problem is that when they stand back the edges don't carry. They are coming fast, but low. At least standing closer there is a chance they will stick - if they bounce in front there's no chance of a catch. That said, I wonder if Smith should stand a little closer to Carey when the spinners are on. Seems most of the chances are going to his left - he's a better chance of grabbing a sharp one if it's closer to his body.
Rob
Guest
Ridiculous to say that he's happy to settle for a draw when Cummins declared at 350. If he wanted to settle for a draw they would of batted Pakistan out of the game and built up a lead of 400+.
Minz
Guest
I'm hearing about missed chances in the slips, but those "chances" all seem to be flying past at a million miles an hour, with little chance unless they happen to hit the fielder in the hand and stick. Perhaps the slips fielders need to stand back a little further?
Whidm72
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to an interesting final day. I wonder if Pakistan will collapse or bat very well, you never can tell.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
It's obviously about mind set and learned execution of concept to replace learned helplessness, whether at test level or your junior team. It's not delusional at all.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
I love the declaration. Yes, there is an outside chance for a Pakistan win, but that brings potential dismissals trying to push the score into play. Looking at how tough scoring has been against the older ball in this match, 3rpo will not be easy without taking some risks - which has not been Pakistan's style so far this series. Playing it safer would have guaranteed at least a drawn series whilst diminishing the chance for our first win in Asia in ten years. In my opinion it's worth slightly increasing the risk of a series loss to give us the best chance for a win.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
If Pakistan cannot be rolled from here on a 5th day track then that is not a good look. Yes it has been a flat track but there's also been enough times when a handful of wickets fell in quick succession. On this track, after drawing 2 tests, scoring at 3.8 an over when already several hundred ahead with a bunch of wickets in hand says a team either lacks confidence in its bowling unit, is happy to settle for a draw, or the captain is inexperienced at balancing all the variables. I think it is a bit of each.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Nah I don't like it. There's an over emphasis on the 3rd innings of a Test if one team has a lead. There's also too many hypothetical and if one player is capped, yet the other isn't but combined they can score the same amount of runs, how does that work?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Australia significantly upped their run rate as the ball got older - from drinks session 2 (44 overs) up to tea, about 5 an over from about 3.3 the previous hour. For the loss of Labuschagne.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Staring at scoreboard wont tell you how hard it was to score. Ball just wasn't comin on to bat and many other challenges. This is a classic Test match, Pat and his team have played us into strong position, I for one watched every ball and loved it. Smith/Warner/Marnus/Uzi can all hit, but they just could not, such was the challenging state of play.