Pakistan have ended a run of 13 successive Test defeats to Australia after clawing their way to a nervy three-wicket victory at Headingley.
Pakistan began day four needing just 40 more runs to win with seven wickets in hand, however Ricky Ponting’s side pushed them all the way with a spirited fightback.
Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus both claimed early breakthroughs, but Kamran Akmal (13) got the scores level before Umar Gul hit the winning runs to prompt wild celebrations.
The result levels the two-Test series at 1-1 and ends Pakistan’s 15-year wait for a Test success over Australia.
The morning began in dramatic fashion when Azhar Ali (51) was dismissed just one ball after registering his maiden Test match half-century.
The Pakistan right-hander edged Bollinger (3-51) through to Tim Paine in the second over, with Pakistan still 34 runs from victory.
Disbelief
With an ultra-attacking field in place, Australian hopes of an unlikely victory increased when Hilfenhaus (3-39) found the edge of Umar Akmal’s bat and Paine did the rest.
At 150-5 the game was well and truly in the balance, but experienced duo Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik calmed the nerves briefly by adding 11 further runs.
A stunning catch from Marcus North ended that stand, Malik forced to trudge off in disbelief after his powerful drive was plucked from the air at short extra-cover.
His dismissal left Pakistan needing 19 more runs with four wickets in hand, before Akmal found the rope twice to take the scores level – albeit after some controversy when Mike Hussey claimed a catch in the gully.
After consulting the third official, umpires Rudi Koertzen – standing in his 108th and final Test – and Ian Gould decided that the ball had landed just short of the fielder.
There was yet more drama when Akmal departed with the scores level, Hussey definitely catching this time off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson, before Gul finally sealed the win with a single through cover.
The Pakistan players invaded the field in celebration as Salman Butt’s reign as captain began with a famous win.
Source : Skysport
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