Pakistan opens Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique made a solid start on Thursday to set up an exciting final day in the third decisive test in Lahore, keeping the hosts in hunting for a series- clinching win against Australia.
Australia captain Pat Cummins made a sporting statement in the final session of the fourth day at the Gaddafi Stadium, calling his side’S second innings Locked down on 227-3 and setting a goal on Pakistan of 351 a chase.
On a wicket offering the turn for spinners and some deliveries held low after launch, Imam and Shafique denied Australia success bring Pakistan to 73 with no losses to the stocks with hosts that need 278 more for victory.
The imam was unbeaten on 42 with Shafique 27 no out.
Steve Smith, who has had a hard time in the series with his catching dropped a edge by Shafique off part-time leg spinner Marnus Labuschagne in the final over of the days play.
The first two prove – the first between the sides in Pakistan since 1998 – they were drawn.
Khawaja hundred:
Australia opener Usman Khawaja in previously continued his run-score revelry against Pakistan, remaining unbeaten on 104 after completing his second hundred of the series.
The 35-year-old left-hander ran away for Two runs in the final over before tea a complete its 12th century in Evidence.
Khawaja, born in Pakistan, who the best score for Australia in the first innings with 91, also scored 97 in the opening test in Rawalpindi and 160 and 44 no out in the second in Karachi.
He added 96 for the opening stand with David Warner, who hit six four ea six in knock before being fired just before lunch for 51, clean up Of fast the bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Khawaja, who returned to the test side after two years in January during the home Ashes series against England has been launched on 31 of pacer Naseem Shah, but was reprimanded when the television referee ruled that the bowler had overshot the fold.
He also added 65 for the second wicket with number three Marnus Labuschagne, who made 36.
Former captain Steve Smith was out for 17 after becoming the fastest to reach 8,000 runs in Evidence during his knock. The 32-year old reached the milestone in 151 innings by beating the record of Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara (152 innings).
