Cricket-Imam holds firm as Pakistan reach 136-2 at lunch chasing 351
(Reuters) - Pakistan lost two wickets to reach 136 at lunch on the fifth day of the deciding third and final test against Australia, chasing 351 for victory at Lahore on Friday.
Nathan Lyon Sport News
Pakistan vs Australia, 3rd Test, Day 4: Australia Build On Lead vs Pakistan
Aiming to increase their lead, Australia face Pakistan on Day 4 of the ongoing third Test match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, on Thursday. Australia are currently batting and trying to build some momentum. After a gritty fight by Abdullah Shafique (81) and Azhar Ali (78), Babar Azam was left as the lone warrior as Australia pacers took centre-stage on Day 3. Nathan Lyon gave the visitors their first breakthrough of the day in the form of Shafique and skipper Pat Cummins then removed Azhar Ali with a stunning catch off his own bowling. Babar hit a fine half-century to carry on his rich vein of form, but in the final session, Mitchell Starc and Cummins ran through the Pakistan lower order. Cummins finished with five, while Starc took four to bowl Pakistan out for 268. Usman Khawaja and David Warner successfully saw off the three overs in Australia's second essay, as they finished the day at 11/0 at Stumps, with a lead of 134 runs. (LIVE SCORECARD)
Watch: Pat Cummins Takes A Blinder Off His Own Bowling To Dismiss Azhar Ali On Day 3 Of Pakistan vs Australia 3rd Test
The crowd at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore were witness to a spectacular catch from visiting Australian captain Pat Cummins, who grabbed a screamer off his own bowling to see the back of Azhar Ali for 78 runs. On Day 3 of the third Test, the Pakistan batters made the bowlers work hard for their wickets before spinner Nathan Lyon got the first breakthrough of the day, getting rid of Abdullah Shafique for 81 runs. However, Ali continued to impress as he picked up from last night and completed a magnificent half-century.
Watch: Pat Cummins Takes A Blinder Off His Own Bowling To Dismiss Azhar Ali On Day 3 Of Pakistan vs Australia 3rd Test
The crowd at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore were witness to a spectacular catch from visiting Australian captain Pat Cummins, who grabbed a screamer off his own bowling to see the back of Azhar Ali for 78 runs. On Day 3 of the third Test, the Pakistan batters made the bowlers work hard for their wickets before spinner Nathan Lyon got the first breakthrough of the day, getting rid of Abdullah Shafique for 81 runs. However, Ali continued to impress as he picked up from last night and completed a magnificent half-century.
Pakistan vs Australia, 3rd Test: Azhar Ali Reaches 7,000 Test-Run Milestone
Veteran Azhar Ali scored his 7,000th Test run on Wednesday during the series-decider against Australia in Lahore, joining an elite list of Pakistan batsmen. The 37-year-old swept spinner Nathan Lyon to reach the landmark before being caught and bowled by Australia captain Pat Cummins for 78. It took Azhar 94 matches to achieve the milestone and he becomes only the fifth Pakistan batsman and 54th in all to cross the 7,000 Test-run mark.
Pakistan vs Australia: Pakistan's Azhar Ali reaches 7,000-runs milestone in Test cricket
Azhar Ali scored his 7,000th Test run on Wednesday during the series-decider against Australia in Lahore, joining an elite list of Pakistan batsmen. The 37-year-old swept spinner Nathan Lyon to reach the landmark before being caught and bowled by Australia captain Pat Cummins for 78.
Shafique, Azhar lead Pakistan's strong batting response on day three
:Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali struck resolute half-centuries on Wednesday as Pakistan delivered a strong response to Australia's first-innings total of 391 in the deciding third and final test at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Pakistan vs Australia, 3rd Test, Day 3, Live Score Updates: Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali Partnership Key For Pakistan
Pakistan vs Australia, 3rd Test, Day 3, Live Score Updates: Pakistan batters Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali will aim to continue adding runs for the second wicket partnership after losing opener Imam-ul-Haq for 11 runs on Day 2. Pakistan were placed at 90/1 at Stumps on Day 2. Australian skipper Pat Cummins claimed the only wicket after the visitors were bowled out for 391 in the first innings. Cameron Green (79) and Alex Carey (67) batted superbly as they added crucial runs lower down the order for their team. For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were the pick of the bowlers with four wickets each. (LIVE SCORECARD)