Australia has gained a lead of 123 runs in the first innings on the back of Captain Cummins and Mitchell Starc’s fiery spells after the tea break on the third day of the final Test in the series.
Pakistan started the day on 90-1 with Shafique and Azhar Ali forming a dangerous stand against the Kangaroos. However, things took a turn for the worse for Pakistan in the final session of the day.
Here’s how the day panned out:
Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali denied Australia any chances in the first session to grasp wickets. The duo constructed a 150 runs stand for the second wicket to put Pakistan under commanding pressure in the first session of the day. Both Ali and Shafique brought up their individual half-centuries to keep Pakistan in the hunt for Australia’s 319.
Fortune changed for the hard-toiling Australian bowlers in the Gaddafi Stadium during the second session when Nathan Lyon opened up the doors for Australia by getting Shafique out on 81 runs. Following Shafique’s departure, Azhar Ali too got dismissed in the second session. Pat Cummins removed the persistent Ali on 78 to level the playing field in the match.
In the third session, Australian bowlers, especially Pat Cummins and Starc, were exhibiting fire with their quick deliveries. The pitch at Lahore, too, started deteriorating in the third session, helping the cause of Cummins and Starc. Cummins got a fifer, and Starc removed 4 batters, including the Pakistani captain Babar Azam (67), to bowl out Pakistan on 268.
Australia batted again for 3 overs before the stumps and added another 11 runs to their lead without any losses.
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