Oz tour of Pakistan, March 4 - April 5

[Arthur Crabtree]

Khawaja's having a run glut that seems to happen to returning Aussie batters, or late life picks like Adam Voges and Michael Hussey.

[GarlicJam]

This match starting where the last left off. Sigh. Maybe this wicket will break up a bit, we can hope.

that seems to be the Australia team's expectations.

Not much else will explain their continuing to bat, at such a slow rate.

[mikesiva]

Australia 556-9 declared

Khawaja 160
Carey 93
Smith 72

Faheem 2-55

[GarlicJam]

a couple of poor decisions have Pakistan 2 down 45.

[mikesiva]

Pakistan 148 all out

Babar 36

Starc 3-29

[mikesiva]

Australia 97-2 declared

Khawaja 44*
Labuschagne 44

Target 506

[alfie]

Australia 97-2 declared

Khawaja 44*
Labuschagne 44

Target 506

Good luck with that

Australia have certainly punished Pakistan for cooking up these totally dead pitches in an attempt to nullify their pace attack. Really does serve them right I think : they have decent pace bowlers of their own and should have been prepared to fight the games out on pitches which gave the bowlers a reasonable chance...gambling on winning all the tosses was a pretty silly plan...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Plenty to do though.

[alfie]

Good fight shown by Pakistan ...Babar looks capable of batting forever . Tough ask for them to bat out the whole last day though.

Aussies will be a little anxious perhaps after failing to finish the job in Sydney against England.

[Durhamfootman]

Pakistan still only 3 down. Still 55 overs left in the day for Australia. Pakistan going along at 2.5 an over which isn't blocking for a draw, so Australia have lots to do yet

A draw might end up feeling like a defeat

[bigfluffylemon]

The chase can't be on, can it? Surely not.

[Arthur Crabtree]

A couple of wickets and Aussies are into the bowlers. Must still be favourites.

[GarlicJam]

A couple of wickets and Aussies are into the bowlers. Must still be favourites.

I'd hope so. At least, atm.

A Pakistan win, not very likely, 3%? 5% chance?
A draw, 35-40%?

Could very well be a great finish to this test.

[alfie]

No hope of Pakistan chasing this down. One more and they're into the bowlers - who aren't much with the bat .

Can Australia take the last six is the question ? Spinners not exactly weaving a web so far though there have been a few half chances missed.
Bowlers might be getting a bit weary as they've been going for 134 overs now. Can't leave it all to Cummins surely...

My big question (having not had TV access on day three) is how the devil did Pakistan contrive to get bowled out for 150 on this track ????!

[alfie]

Tea. 310/4 .

Babar 168 not out and while he is occupying one end the Aussie bowlers might feel under extra pressure to work on his partners.

That said , there have been a few recent dabs off the bat going very nearly to hand off simple defensive pushes. I wonder if Pakistan might be better served playing a bit more positively against Lyon in particular ? Can't really fault their effort though : 135 overs for just four wickets , even on a flat pitch , is a decent effort on the last two days after that horrendous first innings deficit.

50/50 draw or Aussie win I think.