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Pakistan vs Australia, 3rd Test, Day 4: Pakistan, Australia Tussle For Win After Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith Milestones

Pakistan started confidently Thursday in pursuit of a 351-run target in the series-deciding third Test against Australia, ending on 73 without loss at the close in Lahore. Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique were unbeaten on 42 and 27 respectively, leaving the home team needing another 278 runs for victory in 90 overs, with all 10 wickets intact when play resumes Friday. Australian skipper Pat Cummins declared their second innings at 227-3 shortly after tea -- a bold decision considering Pakistan managed 443-7 in pursuit of 506 runs to draw last week's Karachi Test.

Pakistan vs Australia: Steve Smith Sets Huge Record In 3rd Test vs Pakistan

Australia batter Steve Smith on Thursday set the record for the fastest to reach 8000 Test runs, getting there one innings quicker than Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara. Smith got to the milestone during Australia's second innings of the ongoing third Test against Pakistan in Lahore. Sangakkara took 152 innings to get to the landmark, while Smith got there in his 151st. In terms of matches, the Australian batter got there much quicker, taking 85 games in comparison to Sangakkara's 91.

Watch: Shaheen Afridi Sends David Warner's Off Stump Flying

Day 4 of ongoing third Test between Pakistan and Australia at the Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore saw the rivalry between Shaheen Afridi and David Warner continue, with the Australia opener hitting a fine half-century before the Pakistan pacer sent his off stump flying with a brilliant delivery. The rivalry, of course, was contained only to cricket, as Afridi shook Warner's hand and the two exchanged a laugh before the batter walked off after scoring 51 off 91 deliveries in Australia's second essay.

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)

"All A Bit Of A Blur": Pat Cummins On Pakistan's Collapse On Day 3

After Australia posted 391 in the third Test against Pakistan in Lahore, the hosts looked to be going strong on Day 3, with Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali defying the visiting bowlers. Babar Azam also looked good at the crease after the two were dismissed, having scored half-centuries, but then Australia pacers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc effected a stunning collapse, running through the middle and lower order. Cummins finished with a five-wicket haul, while Starc nabbed four to help Australia bowl Pakistan out for 268 in their first innings.

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.

"So Unpredictable": Pakistan Suffer Huge Collapse, Fans Vent On Twitter

Over the years, Pakistan cricket team has created an image for themselves for being unpredictable and no one really knows what to expect out of them when they step out to the field and this was the case on the 3rd day of the ongoing third Test against Australia at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore. From being in a comfortable position at 248/3 in the first innings, fans were expecting Pakistan to dominate, but Australia came back strong, bowling the hosts out for 268.

Australia vs Pakistan, 3rd Test: Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc Put Visitors In Control At Stumps On Day 3

Pace spearheads Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc took nine wickets between them and ran through Pakistan's batting order, bowling out the hosts for 268 to give Australia a shot at a series victory in the third and deciding Test in Lahore on Wednesday. At stumps on day three, Australia were 11-0 in their second innings with Usman Khawaja on seven and David Warner four. Cummins finished with 5-56 and Starc bagged 4-33 to trigger an afternoon collapse which saw the home team lose their last six wickets off 40 balls with the addition of just 12 runs.

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Australia Cricket Team Sport News

Pakistan vs Australia, 3rd Test, Day 4: Pakistan, Australia Tussle For Win After Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith Milestones

Pakistan vs Australia: Steve Smith Sets Huge Record In 3rd Test vs Pakistan

Watch: Shaheen Afridi Sends David Warner's Off Stump Flying

Pakistan vs Australia, 3rd Test, Day 4: Australia Build On Lead vs Pakistan

"All A Bit Of A Blur": Pat Cummins On Pakistan's Collapse On Day 3

Watch: Pat Cummins Takes A Blinder Off His Own Bowling To Dismiss Azhar Ali On Day 3 Of Pakistan vs Australia 3rd Test

"So Unpredictable": Pakistan Suffer Huge Collapse, Fans Vent On Twitter

Australia vs Pakistan, 3rd Test: Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc Put Visitors In Control At Stumps On Day 3