Australia snatched victory in the final session of the third Test match, in Karachi, winning the series into the bargain. This was their first series win in Pakistan in 25 years, and their second on Asian soil since the Sri Lankan tour of 2011.
There was all to play for heading into Day 5, with the outcome not only of the match but the whole series in doubt. Chasing 351, Pakistan had reached stumps on the previous day on 73/0, still needing 278 runs. Abdullah Shafique was on 27 and Imam-ul-Haq on 42.
Only four runs were added, and Shafique had yet to get off the mark for the day, when he was caught behind off Cam Green. Imam and Azhar Ali added 28 for the second wicket before Nathan Lyon found Azhar's edge. Azhar fell, caught by Steven Smith for 17.
Captain Babar Azam joined Imam, and the pair put on 37 for the third wicket before Lyon had Imam caught by Marnus Labuschagne for 70. Captain Pat Cummins tilted the contest in favour of Australia. He had Fawad Alam for 11 and Mohammad Rizwan for a duck, both leg before.
When Babar and Sajid Khan put on 46 for the sixth wicket, Pakistan still had hopes of saving the game.
But, just as with their first innings, the end came suddenly. Babar, who had reached 55, including six fours, was caught brilliantly by Smith off Lyon. In the following over, with no addition to the score, Sajid fell for 21, caught by Usman Khawaja off Mitchell Starc.
Nauman Ali and Hasan Ali added 13 more before Lyon bowled Hasan for 13. Lyon then accounted for Shaheen Shah Afridi before Cummins wrapped up proceedings by bowling Naseem Shah who had scored a single.
Pakistan were all out for 235, meaning Australia had won by 115 runs. Lyon took 5-83, and Cummins 3-23.
Australia 391 (Usman Khawaja 91; Naseem Shah 4-58, Shaheen Shah Afridi 4-79) and 227/3 decl. (Usman Khawaja 104*; Naseem Shah 1-23) beat Pakistan 268 (Abdullah Shafique 81; Pat Cummins 5-56, Mitchell Starc 4-33) and 235 (Imam ul-Haq 70; Nathan Lyon 5-83) by 115 runs. Player of the Match: Pat Cummins.
Australia won the series 1-0. Player of the Series: Usman Khawaja.