Pakistan’s openers stay strong to set up exciting last day

 

Pakistan openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique made a strong beginning on Thursday to set up an undeniably exhilarating last day in the choosing third Test in Lahore, saving the hosts in the chase after a series-securing win against Australia.

Australia commander Pat Cummins made a wearing statement in the last meeting of the fourth day at the Gaddafi Stadium, calling his side’s subsequent innings shut on 227-3 and setting Pakistan an objective of 351 to pursue.

On a wicket offering turn for the spinners and a few conveyances keeping low subsequent to pitching, Imam and Shafique denied Australia any accomplishment to take more time to 73 without misfortune at stumps with the hosts requiring 278 something else for triumph.

Imam was unbeaten on 42 with Shafique 27 not out.

Steve Smith, who has made some extreme memories in the series with his getting, dropped an edge from Shafique off parttime leg-spinner Marnus Labuschagne in the last over of the day’s play.

Australia opener Usman Khawaja prior proceeded with his run-scoring binge against Pakistan, staying unbeaten on 104 in the wake of finishing his second hundred of the series.

The 35-year-old left-hander hurried for two runs in the last over before tea to finish his twelfth hundred in tests.

Pakistan-conceived Khawaja, who top-scored for Australia in the primary innings with 91, additionally scored 97 in the initial Test at Rawalpindi and 160 and 44 not out in the second at Karachi.

He added 96 for the initial stand with David Warner, who hit six fours and a six in his thump prior to being excused right away before lunch for 51, tidied up by quick bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Khawaja, who got back to the Test side following two years in January during the home Ashes series against England, was bowled on 31 by pacer Naseem Shah yet was reprieved when the TV umpire governed the bowler had violated the wrinkle.

He additionally added 65 for the second wicket with number three Marnus Labuschagne, who made 36. Previous commander Steve Smith was out for 17 subsequent to turning into the quickest to arrive at 8,000 runs in tests during his thump.