LAHORE: Pakistan batting collapsed on the final and last day of the decisive Test match to hand over Australia their first series victory in 24 years.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon showed his class by delivering a decisive spell on a gripping and turning pitch as bulldozed through the Pakistani batting lineup to help Australia beat Pakistan by 115 runs in the series-deciding third Test at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Opener Imam-ul-Haq hit a fighting half-century to take Pakistan to 136-2 at lunch on the final day before an extended interval of 2.5 hours due to Friday prayers.
The home team was set a challenging 351-run target and needed another 215 runs to win the Test. Imam was dismissed for 70 runs after lunch when he got an inside edge to his pad against Lyon to be caught by close-in fielder Marnus Labuschagne.
Lyon took the prized wickets of Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam to finish with figures of 5-83 in the second innings. Fast bowler Pat Cummins picking up three wickets as Pakistan were all out for 235 on the final day. Pakistani captain Babar, who saved the hosts from the jaws of defeat in the second Test in Karachi with a 196 in the second innings, managed to score 55.
Cummins dismissed Fawad Alam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, who also struck an unbeaten 104 in the second innings of the drawn Karachi Test, in successive overs with both batters falling leg before wicket. Rizwan would have survived if he had asked for a review of the umpire’s decision.
Azhar, playing his 94th test but the first at his home ground, also fell for 17 to Lyon after a decision that stoked controversy. Australia asked for a review of the not-out decision, and the third umpire ruled in favour of the touring side after replays showed a faint edge when the ball passed the bat.
Pakistan lost eight wickets in quick succession as Australia won the series 1-nil. The first two Tests in the series were drawn. Australian skipper Pat Cummins was named Player of the Man and Usman Khawaja was adjudged Plays of the Series.
