Australia has ended their 11-year drought in Asia after clinching the Test series in Pakistan. Before winning against Pakistan, they last won in Asia in 2011 against Sri Lanka.
Australian bowlers obliterated the Pakistani batting line-up to break the stalemate and win the Test series in style.
Here’s how the day panned out:
Pakistan cruised on 74-0 at stumps on day 4, with Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq well set on the crease. However, the merry way of making runs could not continue for Pakistan on a pivotal day.
Green removed Shafique on 27 to open the door for Australian bowlers. Azhar Ali looked to consolidate the Pakistani inning with Imam-ul-Haq, and together the duo took Pakistan above 100.
When Nathan Lyon came to the party on a track that started helping spinners on the 5th day, Pakistan scattered like a deck of cards. His first victim was the gritty Azhar Ali, followed by the well-set Imam-ul-Haq.
Imam played a gutsy knock of 70 off 199, including 5 fours, to take control of the chase while batting for Pakistan in the fourth innings. Imam’s departure paved the way for Australia to take control of the game. Imam’s wicket was the turning point on the 5th day that ultimately ended in Australia triumphing against Pakistan.
After Lyon, Pat Cummins, the captain, took the reign in his hands and produced two back to back wickets for the Kangaroos. He brought an end to Fawad Alam’s dismal batting display in the Test series and sent back the hero of the 2nd Test, Mohammad Rizwan, to the pavilion.
All hope was lost for Pakistan when Babar Azam got removed by Nathan Lyon. Pakistan could only manage 235 in the fourth innings and lost the match by 115 runs to also lose the Test series.
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