Magnificent Babar and Rizwan save Pakistan

Babar Azam played a master-class knock to help Pakistan draw the Test match and keep the historic series level.

Mohammed Rizwan kept fighting against the  Australian bowlers in the final overs and remained unbeaten after completing his outstanding century.

Pakistan almost chased the total down as they fell only 63 runs short to create history in Test match cricket.

Australia   1st innings   556-9 Dec

Khawaja 160            Faheem 2-55                                                                                                                                        Carey 93                   Sajid 2-167

Pakistan   1st innings   148 all-out

Babar 36              Starc 3-29                                                                                                                                        Nauman 20*       Swepson 2-32

Australia    2nd innings   97-2   

Labuschagne 44          Shaheen 1-21                                                                                                               Khawaja 44                  Hasan 1-23

Pakistan 2nd innings   443-7

Babar 196               Lyon 4-112                                                                                                                                    Rizwan 104*           Cummins 2-75

Pakistan was very close to creating history today as if they had just played a little bit quicker in the second session, they could have broken the West Indies record for the highest chase in Test cricket which was 418 runs.

Still, it was an unbelievable effort from the Pakistani batters to play 2 complete days and save the Test match.

Babar led the batting lineup with his excellent knock and he was more than well-supported by Abdullah Shafique and Muhammad Rizwan.

Abdullah got out in the 90s

The young Abdullah Shafique played superbly yesterday and he also continued his excellent knock today but he got under pressure in the 90s.

Although Babar tried to calm him down between the balls but he failed to handle the pressure and played a wrong shot that cost him his wicket and also his second century of the series.

Abdullah edged the ball that was away from him and lost his wicket on 96 runs.

Fawad Alam never looked comfortable in his short stay of 27 deliveries.

Pat Cummins dismissed him for 9 runs to give a huge dent to the Pakistani batting lineup before Tea.

Rizwan and Babar played aggressive cricket at the start of the third session and everyone thought Pakistan is going for a win but the spinners stopped the scoring rate to make the equation tougher.

When less than 14 overs were remaining, Babar lost his wicket for 196 runs and he will have to wait more for his first double ton in the longest format.

Pakistan was going well with Rizwan and Babar looking comfortable at the crease but suddenly Nathan Lyon changed the momentum of the game by picking up 2 wickets in 2 balls.

He first picked up Babar Azam for 196 and on the very next ball, he dismissed Faheem Ashraf for a duck.

These two quick wickets revived Aussie hopes as they become more keen and confident to win the match.

Lyon then dismissed Sajid Khan to leave Pakistan 7 down for 443 runs.

Rizwan and Nauman played patiently to negotiate the final overs.

Babar’s record-breaking 196

Babar played an outstanding knock that will be remembered for many years.

He stood patient at the crease due 2 long days and had good partnerships with Abdullah and Rizwan.

Unfortunately, Babar couldn’t complete his double hundred but he created a record for the biggest 4th innings knock by a captain in Tests.

Mohammad Rizwan also played a fighting knock after quick dismissals of Babar and Faheem.

The wicketkeeper-batsman ensured that he will stay calm under pressure until Pakistan will draw this match.

Rizwan scored a fighting century and remained unbeaten on 104 runs.