Australia seal historic Test series victory in Pakistan

The Australian cricket team celebrate their historic series victory in Pakistan after winning the third Test by 115 runs

LAHORE: Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon resoundingly answered the critics with five wickets on the final day, as Australia›s unwavering attack ended Pakistan›s resistance late on day five to win the deciding third Test by 115 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium yesterday. Lyon claimed 5 for 83, while Player of the Match Pat Cummins finished a brilliant series with 3 for 23, and eight wickets in the Test.

Needing 351 to win or batting through 121 overs – both feats never achieved in Lahore before – Pakistan were dismissed for 235 after losing five wickets in the final session. In the historic first series between the teams in Pakistan since 1998, Australia broke the deadlock after draws in Rawalpindi and Karachi. It is the same 1-0 score line that Mark Taylor›s team famously achieved 24 years ago.

After giving Pakistan a sniff with a bold declaration, captain Cummins was vindicated as he led Australia to their first overseas Test series victory since 2016, as they also ended their 11-year drought in Asia.

Pakistan›s hopes nosedived when captain Babar Azam fell for 55 after tea when Steven Smith took a sharp catch near his left boot off Lyon. After a torrid series in the slips, Smith atoned in a big moment to put Australia on course for victory. Australia were relieved after Babar was dropped before tea by Travis Head at deep midwicket after rashly charging Lyon.

Australia›s nerves were raised when Babar played fluently against the second new ball but his dismissal sucked the life out of the crowd, as Australia soon claimed their first Test win against Pakistan in Asia since 2002.

Cummins, who remains unbeaten as skipper from seven Tests, knew the slow Lahore surface marked by low bounce offered more assistance for bowlers than flat pitches in Rawalpindi and Karachi.

Lyon started his terrific performance by removing Imam-ul-Haq for 70 with his second ball after lunch when he had the opener inside-edging to silly point. It was a reward for Lyon›s accuracy and Cummins› persistence with deploying four catchers around the bat.

Amid batting friendly conditions throughout, Australia›s series victory was built on the back of indefatigable batting, even though Player of the Series Usman Khawaja was their only centurion. Pakistan-born Khawaja enjoyed a remarkable homecoming with 496 runs at 165.33 and two hundreds, while Australia had enough contributors without any other standouts.