Pakistan vs Australia: Key Australia Breakthrough For Aussies, Pakistan Still 252 Runs Away

Just before the lunch break, Australia made a crucial breakthrough when Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique edged a Pat Cummins delivery to Steve Smith at first slip and was dismissed for 96.

Pakistan now needs 252 runs to win the most unlikely of triumphs, as Babar Azam and Fawad Alam work to prevent a collapse. One brings two is a definite rule in test cricket. It will be an interesting lunch after the session for Cummins and co.

For now, Babar Azam looks solid and determined so he is the key wicket. Even if he decides to play the anchor role, he has to be aggressive and keep scoring at good run rate.

Despite getting the second new ball after 80 overs, Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq (one) and Azhar Ali (six) before Shafique and Azam led the fightback, leaving Australia wicketless in the final session.

For the majority of the first session, Pakistan was in cruise control, with Shafique and Babar Azam nibbling away at the massive total required to win. Shafique, on the other hand, left with Pakistan at 3/249.

PAustralia’s bowling attack hasn’t had much optimism to open Day 5 for the majority of the session, with Shafique and Azam nearing the 200-run partnership mark.

The first two deliveries from newcomer Mitchell Swepson, who bowled two straight full tosses with his first two balls of the day, epitomised the Aussies’ troubles.

Babar Azam smashed both of them for boundaries as Pakistan sought to chase down the highest-ever Test target.

As Pakistan denied Australia’s chances of an early win in the second Test in Karachi, Azam smashed a battling century with superb backing from opener Abdullah Shafique.

Chasing a difficult 506-run target, Azam hit his sixth Test century – and second against Australia – to help Pakistan reach 2-192 and increase chances of an unlikely triumph, or even a tense draw.

At the end of the day, Azam was unbeaten on 102 and Shafique was unbeaten on 71 as the duo scored 171 for the third wicket, leaving the home team requiring 314 runs in the last 90 overs to win or bat out three sessions to draw.