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Posted: 2022-03-25 04:49:52

Australia has won its first Test series in Asia since 2011 with a 115-run victory over Pakistan in Lahore, claiming the three-Test series 1-0.

In a series that ultimately went down to the final session of the final day of the final Test, Australia's patience was well rewarded as Pat Cummins lifted the Benaud-Qadir Trophy.

Nathan Lyon took 5-83 in 37 gruelling overs, with Cummins adding 3-23 as Australia claimed the 10 wickets it needed for victory.

Pakistan's openers were unbeaten and well set as the teams entered the field of play for the final time in the series, and Cummins' sporting declaration with a lead of 350 was such that all results were still on the table with the series at stake. 

Pat Cummins leaps in the air with his arm cocked ahead of delivering a cricket ball
Pat Cummins is once again under pressure to carry his team to victory.(AP: K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan resumed on 0-73, but any nerves in the Australian ranks that might have developed overnight were quashed when Abdullah Shafique (27) was caught behind off Cameron Green (1-18) with the score on 77.

"We knew we'd [have to] bide our time," Cummins said at the presentation, where he was awarded man of the match.

Usman Khawaja was named man of the series.

"The way we applied ourselves today, everyone was up for it, it was awesome," Cummins added.

If Pakistan were to record an unlikely victory they needed everything to go their way, which was not the case when Azhar Ali (17) was controversially given out caught by Steve Smith off the bowling of Lyon.

A screen shot showing a split screen of Azhar Ali playing a shot, with a snico bar in the middle
Azhar Ali was given out controversially before lunch.(Supplied: Fox Sports)

Given not out on field, forensic analysis of the ultra-edge system revealed a minuscule flicker as the ball passed the edge of the bat.

Third umpire Asif Yaqoob decided was enough to overturn the decision, to the disgust of the Pakistan number three.

Azhar Ali looks at the Australia team, who motion to him with their fingers pointing up
Azhar Ali shook his head as he walked off the field, before throwing his kit around the dressing room.(AP: K.M. Chaudary)

That left Pakistan on 2-105, which became 3-142 when Imam-ul-Haq (70) feathered an edge onto his pad that was caught by Marnus Labuschagne.

Fawad Alam (11) was then trapped in front by Cummins, followed swiftly by Mohammed Rizwan (0), who departed in the same manner.

However, had Rizwan reviewed, replays would have shown he was struck outside the line and would have been handed a reprieve.

With his departure, the end appeared inevitable for Pakistan, who deserve hugh amounts of credit for going toe-to-toe with Australia throughout the series.

Babar Azam (55) combined with Sajid Khan (21) for a 46-run partnership, but both departed within five balls of each other caught off the bowling of Lyon and Mitchell Starc respectively with the score on 213.

Hasan Ali (13) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (5) both got out to the impressive Lyon after playing some shots, before Cummins came back to end Pakistan's resistance, clean bowling Naseem Shah (1) to win the series 1-0.

Look back on how all the action unfolded in our live blog.

Key EventPinned

Australia wins the final Test by 115 runs!

AP

It's not just the Test victory, but a hard-fought series that Australia has won on the final session of the final day of the final Test.

Incredible stuff from Australia, fitting that Pat Cummins got the final wicket after Nathan Lyon's toils were rewarded with a five-for.

They had to work so hard for that, all series they've had to toil and dig in and battle and fight for every inch, but when it's counted, a brilliant performance as a captain and leader of the attack by Cummins.

It's the first time Australia has won a Test series in Asia since 2011!

Thanks so much for being here with me to witness that, it was a cracking day's play and has been a very interesting series all up.

We'll see you again on here soon, I"m sure.

From me, Simon Smale, as well as our two bloggers from the first and second Tests, Dean Bilton and Jon Healy, good night.

Audience comment by Rumplestiltskin

It's time I said thank you, Simon and Dean; For your long solo blogs at the blogging machine; Your wit, gifs and humour have kept bay the inane; So I'll raise you a toast - and please do it again!

Audience comment by Peter

Wow what a series. Just fantastic test matches and on the last day it has all come together.

Audience comment by Mark

Seriously great effort Simon. You have kept us all not only simply up to date but also entertained and in tune with the various issues and talking points. Thank you.

By Simon Smale

'We knew we'd bide our time': Cummins

Here's winning skipper, Pat Cummins

He's the third Aussie captain to win a series in Pakistan behind Richie Benaud and Mark Taylor.

"I thought 350 was a total if they'd batted really really well they'd be in the game, but if we bowled to our potential, it was a long way away," Cummins said.

"We needed 110 overs so glad we got there in the end.

"It was kind of weird, the trend of the game was that the first couple of wickets were really hard to get.

"We knew we'd bide our time and the way we applied ourselves today, everyone was up for it, it was awesome.

"I'm really happy with how everyone went."

He adds that it's been an amazing experience to tour and that they've been very well looked after.

He also thanks Babar Azam for a match played with lots of laughs.

By Simon Smale

Player of the series: Usman Khawaja!

"First and foremost, I want to thank Pakistan and Pakistani fans," Khawaja says.

"Even when we weren't winning, we've been having so much fun, winning this match here today is the icing on the cake.

"Coming a long way from possibly not even coming to Pakistan to touring Pakistan to touring Pakistan and being one of the first major countries to do it."

He says that he thought that his hundred yesterday was one of his hardest ever hundreds as it was so hard to score on the pitch.

He said that was why the team thought Pakistan could not chase down 350 runs and why the declaration was made with that total in mind.

By Simon Smale

Player of the match: Pat Cummins!

He took 3-23 in the second innings and his overall leadership was excellent, including that sporting declaration to set up today's win.

By Simon Smale

Batter of the match: Usman Khawaja

By Simon Smale

Man of the match: Nathan Lyon

The 5-83 in the second innings gets Lyon over the line.

By Simon Smale

All rounder of the match: Cameron Green

By Simon Smale

Here's the presentations

There's a cast of thousands for these presentations, and there's loads of awards to come.

There's novelty cheques flying around all over the place...

By Simon Smale

Your thoughts on a terrific performance

Yahoo a series win in Pakistan

-rd

Hat's off to Ussie as well - he making test cricket seem like a game!

-Mike

Cheers Simon well done mate go and grab a pint and a pie, you did good.

-Pete

Really appreciated the coverage Simon. You’re the real man of the series

-Bart

Thank you Simon. Thank you Pat. Thank you Pakistan.

-Old timer

Audience comment by Steph in Melbourne

great that Cummins got the last wicket. What a series. For two often dull draws, there were many highlights. Then the third - timely declaration, good bowling in the latter half of the day.
Excellent team play. Well done Aussies.

And well done Simon - blogging all alone, never a dull moment with you! Thanks so much!

Audience comment by Mike the Mauler

Audience comment by AJ

I know I said when today started I had full faith for ten wickets but ahhhh!!!! I can't believe it!!

By Simon Smale

BOWLED HIM! STUMPS FLY EVERYWHERE!

Pat Cummins sends Naseem Shah's stumps flying all over the place, a brilliant ball to a below average batter - he never stood a chance.

By Simon Smale

93rd over - Pat Cummins to bowl

A real short spell from Mitch Swepson, as the captain decides he wants to finish things off for his side.

Audience comment by Sid

Surely uzzie gets a bowl for his efforts !

Audience comment by Steph in Melbourne

Finally, we won (nearly) in a fourth innings! Great declaration! Let's party!

Audience comment by Chris

GOAT finally getting rewards a lot of overs with no assistance from the pitch.

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