Australia set 351-run target; Pakistan cruise to 73-0

Usman Khawaja celebrates his century against Pakistan yesterday. Pic/AFP

Pakistan started confidently on Thursday in pursuit of a 351-run target in the series-deciding third Test against Australia, ending on 73 without loss at stumps here yesterday.

Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique were unbeaten on 42 and 27 respectively, leaving the home team needing another 278 runs in 90 overs, with all 10 wickets intact.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins declared their second innings at 227-3 shortly after tea, a bold decision considering Pakistan managed 443-7 in pursuit of 506 runs to draw last week's Karachi Test.

The first Test in Rawalpindi also ended in a draw. The highlight of Australia's innings was an unbeaten 104 by in-form Usman Khawaja, and Steven Smith becoming the fastest man to 8,000 Test runs.

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