Pakistan vs Australia 3rd Test: Australia seals the series 1-0 to win Benaud-Qadir Trophy

After a couple of draws at Rawalpindi and Karachi, Australia finally could dig out the result in Lahore.

278 runs vs 10 wickets: Nathan Lyon steals the show

The fight was straightforward at the end of 4th Day. Either a 278-run chase by Pakistan or 10-wickets by Australia. The Day began with Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq resuming their play from where they left last evening. Cameron Green broke the 185-ball overnight partnership of the openers by dismissing Abdullah Shafique for 27 runs. Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam were very well composed with their bats as both of them completed their half-centuries. However, a game-changing spell came from Nathan Lyon and he dismissed Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam for 70, 17 and 55 runs, respectively. There was nothing much of what Pakistan could have done. They were excellent throughout the series but somehow lost the plot on the final decisive Day. Australian bowlers were relentless in pursuit of victory as Nathan Lyon stood out by sending the top-order batters to the pavilion. Pat Cummins further was outstanding with the ball throughout his spell. He caught Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan in an LBW for 11 and 0. 

With the complete batting line-up collapsing, there was a lot left for the lower order to do and save the game for their team. However, Nathan Lyon did not give in any loose moments. He went on to take a 5-for 83  in the second innings, and Pat Cummins further wrapped up wickets to end Pakistan's inning and seal the series win. 

Instances where Pakistan lost the match

The series witnessed two crucial turning points. The first one in Pakistan's first inning where they lost 7 wickets for mere 20 runs and left a lot of lead to cover in the second innings. Australia took the bat to pile up more runs for the hosts to cover in response. Following this came the second turning point, the bold declaration by Australian skipper Pat Cummins for 351 runs. Mohammad Rizwan lost a chance here in the second inning when he was adjudged LBW but didn't review and went directly upstairs. If he had reviewed it, things might have ended up a bit different for Pakistan. Australian bowlers gave it all on the final day to have this much-deserved clinical win.

Australian captain Pat Cummins said, "In the first innings, the way we batted and put ourselves in front was fantastic. Thought if we bowled to our potential, it was enough. It was kind of weird that the trend of the game was that the first couple of wickets were hard to get, once it got 30-40 oversold. The really great thing about this whole squad is...we played really well in Australia in the Ashes. And nowhere. Swepson probably didn't get the just rewards, was an important member of our bowling group. We've been so well received here. I didn't know what to expect here but it has been an amazing experience. Been a lot of fun. Competitive cricket. In a lot of ways, it's been more important than just the result."

Usman Khawaja said, "We've had a lot of fun," says Khawaja. "Just want to thank Pakistan and the fans. We've had a great time. Everyone has been really welcoming. To win this game is the icing on the cake. I think 350 with four sessions was a good target. I didn't think they could get that score. There was enough in that wicket. It was the hardest wicket I'd batted on. Felt like the hardest hundred I'd got."

All eyes are on the white ball now.

Australia has been the superior team, though, over this series. Pat Cummins was brilliant as the captain throughout the series. Bowlers made complete use of reverse swing on pitch, and Usman Khawaja has been monumental with his bat in all the test matches of this series. Pat Cummins was declared Player of the Match and Usman Khawaja as Player of the series. With the Test series done and dusted, and Australia taking away the Benaud-Qadir trophy, now comes white-ball matches commencing from March 29.