Australia has pulled off a sensational draw in the first Test against Pakistan after opening batsman Usman Khawaja scored a patient final-day century.
In one of the most tense climaxes to a Test match in recent times, Usman Khawaja batted 302 balls across the fourth and fifth days of the first Test before skipper Tim Paine (61 not-out off 194 balls) and number 10 Nathan Lyon (five not-out off 34 balls) iced an incredible stale🐎mate.
It once looked like Yasir Shah (4-114) might spin Pakistan to victory as he took advantage of a worn pitch to remove Khawaja for 141 and then tailenders Mitchell Starc (1꧃) and Peter Siddle (0) in the space of ei♕ght balls. But Paine and Lyon were up to the task as Australia finished on 362/8 after 139.5 overs.
Australia’s escape in Dubai is a major blow for Pakistan, who declared on the fourth day to leave themselves the best part of five sessions to bowl out their opponents.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
//twitter.com/MitchJohnson398/status/10☂50376820980236288
Great performance Usman Khawaja! Top effort by Australian team in very tough situation. This was Test cricket at it's best. Pakistan dominated the Test and should continue with same attitude in Abu Dhabi for 2nd Test. All the best boys.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial)
Great fight Lads! and outstanding
— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49)
What. A. Test. Match! 😍 That is 🎉exactly what that was, a true ♏test. Had me on the edge of my seat. Credit to the boys 🙌🏼🇦🇺 what a comeback. Start of an exciting series 🏆
— Megan Schutt (@megan_schutt)
What a great show of resilience from Australia and in particular . This new Australian team walk a♌way better off for this experience.
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket)
His fourth-innings century was the anchor of Australia's heroic escape – is the Player of the Match! 👏
— ICC (@ICC)
You little beauty Australia!! Amazing fight! ﷽amazing!!
— Ryan Harris (@r_harris413)
Test match cricket at its best!! 👌🏽👏🏽
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny)
A really wonderful effort from Australia to d🅷raw the test match. Khawaja was outstanding and Paine in the end was very gritty. Batting out 140 overs to draw is really admirable
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Some Draw by the Aussies …. !!
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
//twitter.com/shaun_tait32/status/1050376501881798🐓656
If ever a draw was as good as a win. Monumental effort from the Aussies, Pakistan was brilliant but couldn't close the game after dominating most parts of it
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7)
What a match! Hard luck team Pakistan. Wonderful fight back from
Better luck next time team Pakistan.— Junaid khan 83 (@JunaidkhanREAL)
Tremendous match saving innings by Usman Khawaja – Tim Paine with showing a lot of resilience as captain,Pakistan will be looking back at this match as a match of missed opportunities..
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial)
After 4 long days in tough conditions, to come out and save the game on Day 5 like that is determination personified. Colossal knock , brilliant support and nerves of steel! Series a﷽live. Love these boys!! 👏🏼
— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30)
Tremendous character & resilience shown by this Australian🐻 team after what happened in 1st inns. Paine & Lyon brilliant to secure the draw. Thrilling finish from Test c♔kt 👏🏼
— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell)
Brilliant effort from , & skipper today!
Love the grind. 🇦🇺— Callum Ferguson (@calferguson12)
Australia survive after batting marathon 139.5 overs, their longest 4th innings in last 47 🅰years!
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad)
Thiꦗs draw says a lot about this group of players. Demonstrated the character that is needed to be successfu💜l. Fight, passion and temperament!!
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93)
That is a magnificent ไeffort by our boys in the baggy green. Great fighting qualities a🃏nd Khawaja one of the best tons you will ever see.
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349)
