Benaud - Qadir Test Series: Australia VS Pakistan 
3rd Test Played at Lahore ( 21-25 March 2022) 
Brief Score at Stumps Day One 
Australia 232/5 in 88 Overs (Usman Khawaja 91, Steve Smith 59, Travis Head 26 , Cameroon Green 20* , Naseem Shah 2/36, Shahin Shah Afridi 2/36 )

The first day of the three matches historic test series decider honors remained shared. Disciplined Pakistan attack taking three quick wickets in the last session neutralized whatever control Australia gained from an outstanding Australian partnership between prolific in the series Usman Khawaja (91) and Australian super star Steve Smith (59) . The day started with Pakistan speedster Shaeen Shah Afirdi making early in roads into Australian top order. Warner and Labuschagne were blown away by Afridi with two exceptional deliveries. The cricket world witnessed fascinating contest of bat and ball with Khawja and Smith gusting out bravely incisive Pakistan pace and spin attack. The third wicket pair produced a quality 138 runs when young prodigy Nassem Shah bowling at pace and reversing trapped Smith right in front making his century draught prolonging. Off spinner Sajid deprived Khawaja forcing him nick to Babar at 91. Finally Nasheem again with a brilliant delivery accounted for Travis Head. The wicket had very little help for pace or spins. It was great team bowling and tight fielding of Pakistan that made Australia toil all day long. Much would depend on how Green and Carey bats on day two and where the innings reach? This test is going to witness a mouth-watering contest for sure. In nature and style Shaheen and Naseem started looking like Wasim and Waqar. With Hasan Ali complementing Pakistan pace attack continues producing endless fountain of talented resources. 232/5 is not yet a big score. Australia would require at least 350 to make it a contest. The first hour of day two would indicate which direction the intriguing contest would be heading. 

The wickets at Rawalpindi and Karachi produced two dull, drab and dreary test matches . Lahore traditional produce result and most in favor of the home side . With this being the last match of the series both sides would leave nothing unturned to leave footprint in the historic series  played in Pakistan after a lapse of over two decades. 

Pat Cummins won the very import toss and decided to bat on a dry looking Pakistan wicket. No sooner had all settled Shaheen Afridi struck two deadly blows removing Warner and Labuchagne with two exceptional deliveries. At 2/8 Australia had to rebuild with man in form Usman Khawja and super star Steve Smith using all tricks out of their hats to contain resurging Pakistan attack. The pair produced very useful 138 runs against probing pace and spin bowling of 5-pronged Pakistan attack.

Both Khawaja and Smith looked settled for long haul. But young Naseem was getting his reverse swing going. The ball with which he trapped Smith in front was an exceptional delivery. Khawaja failing to off spinner Sajid missed another century in consecutive test. Before stumps were drawn Naseem with another brute of a delivery got rid of Travis Head. 232/5 seemed to end the day evenly poised. Cameroon Green and Alex Carey has huge task ahead for keeping Australia in the contest. 

BDST: 2159 HRS, MAR 21, 2022
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