Australia Beat Pakistan In Final Test To Clinch Historic Series Win.

Australia ended their wait for a Test series win in Asia after a 115-run victory in the Lahore decider on Friday (March 25) against Pakistan.

This was Australia’s first series win in the continent since 2011 putting them top of  World Test Championship table.

Needing another 278 runs for a win on a slow track, Pakistan were jolted early when Abdullah Shafique departed in the fourth over of the day.

Imam-ul-Haq led a comeback with Azhar Ali has the pair remained defiant in testing conditions. But Azhar Ali’s controversial dismissal turned the tide in favour of the visitors.

In the second session Australia dominated the proceedings taking out any chances of a Pakistan win. Lyon struck on his second ball after Lunch to send back half-centurion Imam-ul-Haq.

Fawad Alam who had a tough series looked to have found his feet despite surviving close calls. Pat Cummins finally got rid of Fawad, trapping him in front. Fawad also took a review which was wasted.

That proved to be crucial as Mohammad Rizwan chose against using the last standing review upon being given LBW to Cummins in his next over. Turned out, it was a rare error in judgement from Aleem Dar with the impact outside off that could have saved the Pakistan keeper.

With Babar Azam providing the last stand in wilting conditions it was always a matter of time before Australia broke through.

The new ball bought some quick runs for Pakistan after Tea, and then quick wickets for Australia. 

Babar Azam scored a fifty but fell to Lyon after sending an outside edge low to the left of Smith at first slip, who pulled off the inarguably the catch of the day to stun the Lahore crowd into silence. 

In a befitting end, captain Cummins made a mess of Naseem Shah’s stumps to trigger the celebrations in the visiting camp.

The win means a lot to the Australian side who have often found it difficult touring and succeeding in Asia, with testing conditions and quality spin often their downfall. This win also means Australia are well placed to reach the WTC final.

For Pakistan a failure to back their bowlers came back to haunt them. Pitches that offered nothing led to two draws in two matches, albeit the last one being a closely fought contest. The absence of a quality spinner alongwith conditions that could benefit their bowling really didn’t do them any favours.

And apart from Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique their batsmen failed to perform consistently, with serious questions now over Fawad Alam and longetivity of Azhar Ali.

Brief scores: 

Australia 391 & 227/3

Pakistan 268 and 235 (Imam-ul-Haq 70, Babar Azam 55; Nathan Lyon 5-82, Pat Cummins 3-23)