Ton-up Babar, Shafique lead Pakistan fightback against Australia

Babar Azam after scoring his 100 v Australia yesterday. Pic/AFP

Skipper Babar Azam cracked a fighting century with great support from opener Abdullah Shafique on Tuesday as Pakistan thwarted Australia's hopes of a quick win in the second Test here.

Set a daunting 506-run target, Azam knocked his sixth Test century - and second against Australia - to guide Pakistan to 192-2 and raise hopes of an improbable victory, or even a fighting draw. At the close Azam was unbeaten on 102 and Shafique 71 as the pair added 171 for the third wicket, leaving the home team needing another 314 runs in the 90 overs of the final day for a win, or bat out three sessions for the draw.

Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq (one) and Azhar Ali (six) before Shafique and Azam led the fightback, leaving Australia wicketless in the last session - despite taking the second new ball after 80 overs. Azam top-edged a sweep off spinner Mitchell Swepson towards short fine-leg for two to reach the three-figure mark, his first in 21 innings since his 143 against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi in February 2020.

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