Pakistan vs Australia 3rd Test: The last and deciding match of the three-Test series between Pakistan and Australia is being played in Lahore. The host team has registered a shameful record in this match. Batting first, Australia scored 391 runs with the help of half-centuries from Usman Khawaja (91), Steve Smith (59), Cameron Green (79) and Alex Carey (67). In response, Pakistan’s entire team was bundled out for 268 runs in the first innings. It’s not that Pakistan didn’t get off to a good start and got wickets at frequent intervals, three batsmen in the top 4 scored half-centuries but the team collapsed like a pack of cards at the last minute.
Abdullah Shafiq (81) and Azhar Ali (78) took charge after the first wicket fell early and put on a 150-run partnership for the second wicket. After this Babar (67) came to bat and he shared a 44-run partnership with Azhar. There was a time when the team lost its three wickets for 214 runs. Then it seemed that Pakistan would easily reach Australia’s score, but the Australian bowlers did not approve of it.
One end was handled by captain Babar Azam, but at the other end, wickets were falling continuously. The extent was reached when Pakistan lost its last 5 wickets in just 4 runs. Pakistan’s 6th wicket fell in the form of Sajid Khan on the score of 264, after which Nauman Ali, Hasan Ali, Babar Azam and Naseem Shah returned to the pavilion after losing their wickets in just 10 balls. With this, the biggest collapse in the history of Pakistan’s cricket took place. Earlier, Pakistan had lost their last 5 wickets within 5 runs against South Africa in Cape Town in 2003. Then Pakistan got the 6th blow on 247 and the whole team was bundled out for 252 runs.
Talking about the Australian bowling, captain Pat Cummins took 5, Mitchell Starc took 4 and Nathan Lyon took one wicket. After this excellent performance, the visiting team took a lead of 123 runs.
At the end of the third day’s play, Australia scored 11 runs in the second innings without losing a wicket. Usman Khawaja is present with David Warner at the crease and Australia have a lead of 134 runs.