Rival captains Babar Azam and Pat Cummins are both aiming for a series-winning victory after two batting-dominated draws in the Pakistan-Australia third and final Test in Lahore starting Monday.
The series – Australia’s first in Pakistan for 24 years – opened with a high-scoring stalemate on a winged pitch in Rawalpindi before the hosts saved a fighting draw in Karachi on the back of an epic 196 from Azam.
Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium is Azam’s home ground and will host a Test for the first time since the deadly terrorist attack on a Sri Lankan team bus in 2009, which led to the suspension of international cricket in Pakistan.
“I can’t explain the feelings,” Azam said on Sunday.
“When you play on your home ground and in front of your home audience, you have a different feeling.
“I see a result here and if we win against a dominant team, it means a lot to us and will be a proud moment.”
Both Rawalpindi and Karachi pitches did not provide enough support to the spinners but Azam expects the Lahore pitch to be more receptive.
“I think it will definitely bend. It has little cracks that help spinners and patches form.”
Cummins felt that the pitch could be similar to the flat pitches in the first two Tests.
“It sounds tough, but I can’t see it being too different from the others,” Cummins said, adding that Australia would field a side unchanged from the second Test.
“We feel like we have covered all bases when needed, be it reverse swing or swing later in the game.
“Everyone has pulled off really well. We gave them a few extra days to make sure everyone comes out well. But no worries about injury, everyone is fresh, so we are confident in the eleven.”
Cummins urged Australia, who dropped four crucial catches in the second innings at Karachi, to take their chances.
“Wickets are very expensive in this series, so you can’t afford to miss too many chances. So it will be a challenge this week,” he said.
Steve Smith dismissed Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafiq for 20, who scored 96 runs, while Azam was dismissed for 161 runs twice in a row.
Late on the fifth day, Usman Khawaja also dismissed Mohammad Rizwan for 91 who was dismissed for 104 not out.
Australia have not won a Test series on Asian soil since their 1–0 win over Sri Lanka in 2011.
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