Another superb Usman Khawaja century has helped lift Australia as they prepare for a final day in Lahore, in which they require 10 wickets and Pakistan require 278 runs in what is sure to be a tight tussle between bat and ball.
Australia entered the day at 0-for-11, with a 123-run lead on the board. Khawaja and David Warner motored towards a 100-run partnership before a Shaheen Shah Afridi peach rattled Warner’s stumps, with the veteran departing for 51. Khawaja reached his fourth half-century of the series not long after as he and Marnus Labuschagne cultivated a 65-run partnership before the number-three top-edged a sweep shot to deep square leg. With Steve Smith alongside him, Khawaja notched his 12th Test century and second of the series. Smith was dismissed by Naseem Shah for just 17 before Australia declared at 3-for-227 with a 351-run lead, giving themselves 27 overs at Pakistan prior to stumps.
Since earning a recall for the fourth Ashes Test at the SCG, Khawaja’s form has been nothing short of astounding. The Queensland skipper has batted in nine innings since replacing Marcus Harris in Sydney, hitting two half-centuries and four centuries at an average of over 125. With his most recent knock, Khawaja became the 23rd Australian ever to reach 12 Test centuries and will have his sights set on climbing further up the list. Even the 35-year-old’s staunchest believers could not have expected a return quite like this.
Pakistan, meanwhile, find themselves at 0-for-73 with Abdullah Shafique on 27 and Imam-ul-Haq on 42 heading into the final day’s play. Australia will have 90 overs to find 10 wickets, which is a scenario in which they have struggled in recent times. Pakistan, on the other hand, require 278 runs for victory and, given their effort in Karachi, are every chance of marching towards victory.
It is very rare a Test series finishes in a nil-all draw, however, we could be headed towards it. The game is in the balance at the present stage and, if they are unable to find early wickets, Australia may really begin feeling the pressure.
