DUBAI – Australians turned their defeat to a draw against Pakistan as YasirShah struck late in the first Test in Dubai on Thursday.
Shah ended opener Usman Khawaja’s fighting innings at 141 and then removedMitchell Starc and Peter Siddle in quick succession to reduce Australia to333-8, keeping Pakistan’s victory hopes alive till the last over of thefinal day.
Earlier, Pakistan had declared their second innings at 181 thus setting atarget of 462 runs to win. In reply, Australia managed 362 runs on the lossof eight wickets.
But Nathan Lyon and skipper Tim Paine batted out the crucial last overs toengineer Australia’s escape from defeat. Australia were set a daunting462-run target by Pakistan in the second innings.
Pakistan failed to get a single wicket in the first session after Australiaresumed at 136-3. Khawaja took a single to short mid-wicket off to MohammadHafeez to complete his century.
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No team has successfully chased more than the 418-7 West Indies madeagainst Australia in the Antigua Test in 2003.
Pakistan had expected early wickets after jolting Australia to 136-3 at theclose on the fourth day, but nothing worked for skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, whomade multiple bowling changes.
