Khawaja holds firm as Australia secure draw

Usman Khawaja’s seventh Test century steered Australia to a remarkable turnarounddrawwithpakistan in Dubai.

Khawaja’s obdurate 141 helped the tourists to avoid defeat, sending the twomatch series into a deciding Test in Abu Dhabi.

The 31-year-old bettered his first-innings 85 with a defiant stand in the United Arab Emirates, as Australia frustrated a Pakistan side that had started the fifth and final day scenting victory.

Travis Head notched a maiden Test match half century in registering 72, while captain Tim Paine weighed in with a vital unbeaten 61 as Australia closed on 362 for eight to secure the draw.

The tourists had started day five on 136 for three, chasing 462 for the most unlikely of victories.

For Khawaja to pull off his first Test century in Asia would have proved enough of a feat in itself under these circumstances, but the Queensland batsman held his nerve long enough for the visitors to hold out for a share of the spoils.

Australia reached lunch without losing any wickets, with Head reaching that maiden Test milestone and Khawaja moving along tidily.

But Pakistan forced the breakthrough after the interval, from the very first delivery with the new ball, as Head was snared leg before by Mohammad Hafeez for 72.

Khawaja battled on meanwhile, reaching his century from 224 balls.

Marnus Labuschagne mustered 13 before being trapped leg before by Yasir Shah, with Australia reaching 289 for five at tea.

Shah then snaffled three quick wickets – Khawaja’s departure leg before forcing a glut of dismissals.

Mitchell Starc was removed for one run, with Babar Azam holding the catch, before Siddle was trapped leg before by Shah to depart without scoring.

Skipper Paine kept his head, however, with Nathan Lyon offering a stoic unbeaten five from 34 balls as Australia pulled off an impressive result.