Lahore Test: Pakistani tactics backfire, Australia storm to historic Test series triumph on Day 5

Nathan Lyon picked up a 5-wicket haul as Australia bundled out Pakistan for 235 in the final innings to seal a 115-run victory and seal the series 1-0. Pat Cummins picked up the final wicket, helping Australia script history on their return to the Asian nation for the first time in 24 years.

Australia’s perseverance on their first tour of Pakistan in 24 years paid off on the final day of the Test series as the visiting side sealed the series, winning the final Test by 115 runs. Nathan Lyon emerged as the hero for the tourists, picking up a 5-wicket haul Friday.

Pakistan had produced flat, lifeless pitches which were slammed by the cricket fraternity for the historic series.

The first Test in Rawalpindi produced just 14 wickets and more than 1000 runs over 5 days on a pitch that was rated below average by the ICC. Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ramiz Raja even defended the slow nature of the pitch, adding that they did not want to play into the strengths of Pat Cummins’s men.

Our Aussie men are the inaugural winners of the Benaud-Qadir trophy!An incredible series win abroad, played in the greatest spirit #PAKvAUS

Even after conceding a 408-run lead, Pakistan were able to draw the 2nd Test, batting for more than 4 sessions in Karachi. After Australia did not chose to enforce follow-on, Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafiqueand Mohammad Rizwan led rearguard efforts as Pakistan clinched a fighting draw to frustrate the Australians.

However, in Lahore, Pakistan were not able to secure a draw, chasing 351 after a bold declaration from Australia on 227/3 before Tea on Day 4. Lyon finished with figures of 5/83, which included the key wicket of Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who was batting past his fifty in the final session.

Captain Pat Cummins, who was resolute in his approach despite spending long hot days on the field over the last few weeks, picked up 3 wickets, including the final wicket as Australia scripted history.