BRISBANE: Asad Shafiq scored a thrilling century as Pakistan put up a spirited resistance to Australia on Sunday, frustrating the hosts’ attempts to wrap up the first Test with a day to spare.
Shafiq dashed for three runs off a cut shot in the final over of the fourth day to reach his 10th Test century off 140 balls in the day-night match at the Gabba.
Pakistan’s fight back was mainly led by Asad Shafiq who is unbeaten at 100. This is his overall 10th century and, of all, his 9th while batting at number 6 in a Test, the most in a Test match by a batsman playing at number 6.
Asad surpassed great Garry Sobers with century against Australia. The West Indian legend had scored Eight centuries while batting at number 6.
Earlier, Starc scattered his stumps with an inswinger in the 88th over, his third wicket, and Jackson Bird had Amir caught behind in the 107th over.
Younis Khan had also kept the bowlers at bay but was out to a rash shot 30 minutes before the dinner break.
The 112-Test campaigner fell to an ill-judged reverse sweep off spinner Nathan Lyon, the ball ballooning off the back of his bat for Smith to take an easy catch.
Misbah was caught behind off Bird for five to complete a low-scoring match after his four in the first innings and Younis followed just 18 minutes later.
Starc persisted with a short-pitched plan after a 90-minute storm delay at tea.
It finally paid off when Azhar Ali tried to flick a rising ball down to fine leg, only to edge to Matthew Wade.
Azhar faced 179 balls for his 71 and put on 91 for the third wicket with Younis.
Younis, out for a first-ball duck in the first innings, took 20 balls to get off the mark with a streaky shot through the slips cordon to the boundary.
Australia are defending an unbeaten run of 27 Tests at the Gabba. Their last defeat here was in 1988 at the hands of the West Indies.
