With Khawaja on 104 not out and Travis Head undefeated on 11, Australia’s second innings came to a close at 227 for 3. Following draws in Rawalpindi and Karachi, Pakistan will face 31 overs until stumps and 121 overs total in the series decider.
The greatest successful fourth innings chase in Lahore is 210, and no team has ever survived more than 110 overs. Pakistan performed a remarkable job of avoiding loss in Karachi by surviving 171.4 overs, but a sluggish Lahore surface with reverse swing and occasional spin would be a difficult task.
Just before tea, in more celebrations for Australia, Steve Smith smoked a boundary to become the quickest to 8000 Test runs, the vice-captain of the Australian squad, has been the fastest player in Test cricket history to reach 8000 runs. During the third innings of the third and final Test against Pakistan, he completed the feat.
Khawaja’s biggest threat came when the pacers got a few balls to keep low, but he battled through some stressful moments to get a remarkable hundred.
On Day 3, Pakistan were bowled out for 268 in their first innings, with Abdullah Shafique (81), Azhar Ali (78), and Babar Azam (67) leading the way with the bat. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins bowled superbly, claiming four and five wickets respectively.
The declaration has come!
Pakistan have been set a target of 351 🎯
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— ICC (@ICC) March 24, 2022