Babar Azam played a gritty captain's knock of 196 runs to help Pakistan draw the 2nd Test vs Ausralia at Karachi's National stadium.
Till the last session on the fifth day, it appeared as if the pair of Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will guide the hosts to a draw. However, Nathan Lyon had other ideas as he removed Azam and Faheem Ashraf in two successive deliveries to turn the match on its head. He also removed Sajid Khan with only 8 overs left in the game and it appeared as if the Australians will draw the first blood in the series.
But Rizwan and Nauman Ali showed great composure in the middle, digging in the remaining overs and avoiding the visitors a win in the 2nd Test. A draw as a result in the end but a better draw than what fans got to see in Rawalpindi. Rizwan, in the process to take Pakistan to a draw, also completed his second Test ton.
Babar`s majestic knock, which included 21 fours and a six, will be an inspiration for his team heading into the third and final test in Lahore on Monday.
The hosts were on the back foot after folding for 148 in reply to Australia`s massive first innings total of 556-9 at the National Stadium.
The record victory target was never within Pakistan`s reach but Babar`s marathon 228-run partnership with opener Abdullah Shafique (96) kept them afloat in the contest.
Nathan Lyon (4-112) injected fresh drama in the final session dismissing Babar and Faheem Ashraf with successive deliveries but Mohammad Rizwan`s unbeaten 104 helped Pakistan salvage a draw.
The opening Test in Rawalpindi had also ended in a draw.
With Reuters inputs
