Cricket-Pakistan, Australia vie for series win as test returns to Lahore
By Sudipto Ganguly
Babar Azam Sport News
Pakistan, Australia vie for series win as test returns to Lahore
Pakistan and Australia head into a winner-take-all third and final test from Monday as test cricket returns to Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium for the first time since the 2009 attack by gunmen on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team.
Australia make no changes for third Test against Pakistan
Pat Cummins said on the eve of the match. Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Swepson will be the two spinners for the visitors, Cummins told reporters. The first two Tests of the series, in Rawalpindi and Karachi, ended in draws.
Australia make no changes for final test against Pakistan
Australia will be unchanged against Pakistan for the series-deciding third and final test in Lahore starting from Monday, captain Pat Cummins said on the eve of the match.
Steve Smith says Karachi pitch a 'challenge' after Test fumble
Steve Smith said Saturday that close catching is a "real challenge" on low-bounce pitches after he spilled a crucial catch in the second Test drawn with Pakistan in Karachi. The 32-year-old is considered one of the safest pair of hands in the game with 137 catches in 84 Tests, and his drop off Abdullah Shafique's bat on the fourth day of the Test became a major talking point. Pakistani opener Shafique went on to score 96 to supplement skipper Babar Azam in a stand of 228 for the third wicket.
PAK vs AUS: Lahore Makes Poignant Return For Pakistan vs Australia Test Series Decider
Test cricket returns to Lahore on Monday for the first time since a terror attack on a visiting team in 2009, with winner takes all for the Pakistan-Australia series finale. Pakistan's second-biggest city and its Gaddafi Stadium have not hosted a Test since the attack on the Sri Lankan team bus left six security personnel and two civilians dead. It drove international cricket away from Pakistan, forcing the home team to play their matches on neutral territory, mostly in the United Arab Emirates.
"Incredible Feat": Andrew McDonald Hails Babar Azam's Marathon Innings in 2nd Test
Australia interim head coach Andrew McDonald has hailed Babar Azam's 196-run knock in the fourth and final innings of the second Test that was played in Karachi. Having to bat almost two days and a score of 506 to chase, Pakistan were fighting the odds but Babar showed great fight and character to keep the Australians at bay. During the course of his knock, Babar also registered the highest score by a captain in the fourth innings of a Test.