Pakistan's Historic Victory Against Australia
Pakistan sealed a historic first series victory over Australia in 20 years after completing a 356-run win in the second Test. Resuming on 143-4 and needing to bat out three sessions to force a draw, Australia, set a 603-run target, folded for 246 in their second innings after lunch on the fifth and final day in Abu Dhabi. Steve Smith missed a fighting hundred by just three runs but added an invaluable 107 in a fifth-wicket stand with Mitchell Marsh, who fell after scoring 47 as the duo defied Pakistan for a major part of the morning session. But Australia lost five wickets in quick succession after lunch and could not avoid a series defeat for the first time since losing 1-0 in Pakistan in 1994. Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, claiming 5-120 while Yasir Shah took 3-44 as they demolished the tourists on a weary pitch at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. "It's really an honour for me to lead this side, the way everybody played," said Misbah-ul Haq, who equalled the most wins record by a Pakistani captain with 14. Imran Khan and Javed Miandad also won 14 Tests as captains. "Every individual performed and I'm really happy about that. I can't describe my feeling. "We were working really hard and playing good cricket but not winning, so it's really good." Misbah, declared man of the match, set the world record for the fastest half-century and equalled the feat of fastest century in all Test cricket during his 101 not out on Sunday, capping a memorable Test match.
