In an electric passage of play highlighted by an exceptional Babar Azam catch and tremendous reverse-swing bowling from teen quick Naseem Shah, Pakistan caused Australia to wobble late on day one of the third Test.
Australia reached tea at 2-154 with batters Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith set and threatening to inflict more pain, but Pakistan captured three wickets in the final session as the hosts toiled through to stumps at 2-232 in Lahore.
Khawaja continued his superb series but fell in the 90s for a second time on the tour, when Azam produced a sublime catch at first slip.
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Khawaja edged a Sajid Khan delivery and, diving low to his right in a lightning-quick reaction, Azam got a hand to the ball and it stuck.
Former Sheffield Shield batter Mike Haysman branded it “an absolute blinder” on the Fox Cricket broadcast.
Khawaja made 91 from 219 and struck nine fours and a six on the way, leading to Haysman describing his innings as “simply magnificent”.
Smith also shone but, for a seventh time in succession, the former Test captain failed to convert a half-century into a ton, Shah trapping him LBW on 59.
Shah also had Travis Head caught behind in the final session, before Cameron Green (20) and Alex Carey (eight) battled through to the day’s close.
Seamer Shaheen Afridi had got Pakistan off to a terrific start, dismissing David Warner LBW and having Marnus Labuschagne caught behind as Australia fell to 2-8 in the third over of the day.
“I feel Pakistan will be happy,” said former Pakistan leg-spinner Urooj Mumtaz after play.
“Surely we can sign off the day in their favour with five wickets down.”
Both the first and second Tests ended in a draw, setting up a mouth-watering decider in the historic series.
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