PAK drew with AUS | Pakistan vs Australia, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Test Match

So that is it from this game. We had five days of attritional cricket and it turned out to be a very exciting finish, one which just shows why Test cricket is still the best format. A fair result in the end and now it is all to play for in the second and final Test between the two teams. It starts on the 16th of October in Abu Dhabi at 1000 local (0600 GMT). Do join us then. Cheers!

Australia captain, Tim Paine, calls it a tough match. Feels that his team played some outstanding cricket and is very proud to achieve a draw in the end. Admits that they had made some plans during the first innings, but they experienced a bit of a collapse and failed to put up a good total. Is proud of the efforts of his boys in the second innings. Again admits that he was very nervous in the last hour. Feels that on such a pitch, when a batsman gets set, it becomes much easier to stay out there longer. States that the Pakistan bowlers were really good and during that last hour even one wicket would have been enough for them to run through their batting. When asked if this draw feels like a win, a humble Tim Paine replies no and admits the fact that they were outplayed. Further adds that the result has given him immense happiness because of the way they fought.

Pakistan captain, Sarfraz Ahmed, says he hoped to win this Test after a great performance on the first three days but credits Usman Khawaja for the way he batted today. Feels the Aussie opener was the one who saved the match. Mentions about the amazing reverse sweep shots that Khawaja played which he feels was a really good solution to counter the rough patches outside the off stump. States that in Test cricket you learn as you play more games. Regarding the positive points he can take from the match, the Pakistan captain credits how Mohammad Abbas bowled throughout the game. Adds that his stint in County cricket in England has really helped him improve his game. Also praises the way some of his other players played. Ends by saying that they could have won the match but Test cricket is such that if your opponents play so well, then you have to give them credit.

Man of the Match, Usman Khawaja, says that he was just thinking to bat as long as possible. Feels that the pitch was getting tougher and tougher as the game went ahead. Informs that as a team they thought that if they are able to cope well in the first and second sessions today, then they will have a good chance of saving this Test. Also credits Pakistan for a great match and their sportsman spirit. Mentions that such an innings to save a match means a lot to him. Regarding the reverse sweep, the southpaw says that as a left-hander he had to cope with the rough outside his off stump, hence he needed to come up with plans to counter it.

Day 5 saw a new hero emerge for the Kangaroos. Usman Khawaja, who has faced so much criticism in the past, silenced all his critics in some style. Yes, he was given a life by Asad Shafiq but take nothing away from the southpaw's innings. He, along with Travis Head, first chewed up 292 balls for the 4th wicket and then combined with his skipper Tim Paine to battle out another 220 deliveries. The Islamabad-born man got to his first ton in Asia and broke several records in the process. He would be a shade disappointed for not lasting the distance. However, his skipper and the lower order batsmen ensured his knock does not go in vain as they salvaged a draw for the visitors. A word of praise for the Aussie skipper again, he had a great game behind the stumps and then showed his ability with the bat when his team was in dire straits.

After deciding not to enforce the follow-on, which many can now say cost them the game, Pakistan built on their advantage and with contributions from quite a few of their batsmen, they took their lead close to 500. With around five sessions to negotiate, once again Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja started off well putting together an 87-run partnership. But post that the devil's number struck the Aussies and they lost three wickets on the same score.

Pakistan though would be very disappointed. They had this game in the bag but failed to capitalize on the final day. Firstly, they posted a huge first innings score, courtesy Hafeez and Sohail's century. Then, after Finch and Khawaja gave the ideal start to Australia in the first innings by adding a huge 142-run stand, the virtual hosts bounced back in some style. Bilal Asif, the debutant, and Mohammad Abbas did all the damage and helped Pakistan gain a huge 280-run lead.

We entered into the final session with Pakistan needing five wickets and Australia needing to play out 31 overs. The first hour, like most the of the hours today, belonged to the Aussies. Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine grinded it out and when the two were batting, the only result which looked possible was a draw. However, the game came to life in the last hour. In fact, Yasir Shah came to life in the last hour. He got rid of the centurion and then took two in one over to turn the tide in Pakistan's favour. Australia had only two wickets left with more than 10 overs to go but the resolute Tim Paine and Nathan Lyon showed tremendous character and ensured the Aussies do not go one down in the series.

The game ends in a DRAW! What a monumental achievement for Australia. Not many gave them a chance of batting out the whole day today but they have risen against the odds and have managed to do so. Kudos to Tim Paine, what a time to deliver. The Australian skipper walks off to a standing ovation and he deserves every bit of it.

Yasir Shah to Tim Paine. IT'S A DRAW! Everyone is nervous as Yasir bowls a flighted ball on middle and off. Paine watchfully defends it. A magnificent effort by the skipper as he comes up with a perfect captain's knock to save this Test match. The Australian balcony is delighted. Now, we are seeing the players shaking hands in the middle. That's it then.

Yasir Shah to Tim Paine. Oh! The outer half of the bat found here but it flies past the second slip fielder. It went straight down onto the ground though. Now just 2 more to go. Pakistan will have to strike on the next ball...

Yasir Shah to Tim Paine. Yasir gives this a bit more air, hoping for some extra spin and bounce. The Australian captain though is up to it as he defends it with a dead straight bat onto the ground off the front foot.

Yasir Shah to Tim Paine. This one is a flighted ball and full on off, Paine does really well to drive it through long off and get another brace. You should never miss out on Test runs, they never come easy.

Yasir Shah to Tim Paine. The first one is a tossed up ball around off, spinning away. Paine looks to block it off the front foot but it takes the outer half of his bat and runs down to third man. The batsman start running and that gives a lot of tension to the Australian dressing room. Luckily for the Aussies, the batsmen are able to come back for a brace. Paine is still on strike.

Bilal Asif to Nathan Lyon. Three poor deliveries to end the over! Sums up his day today, just not bowled the way he did in the first innings. It is once again on the pads. Lyon flicks it fine down the leg side and takes a couple.

Bilal Asif to Nathan Lyon. FOUR BYES! Another waste of a delivery! Sliding down and it is quicker. Sarfraz has no chance of collecting it. It races to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Bilal Asif to Nathan Lyon. A waste of a delivery! Down the leg side, Lyon tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball once again lobs towards short leg.

Bilal Asif to Nathan Lyon. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Bilal Asif to Nathan Lyon. No turn on this one and it is a touch fuller. Lyon defends it out.

Bilal Asif to Nathan Lyon. Howzzat? Not out is the answer to that question. The Pakistan players are frustrated but can't help it as there are no reviews left. Bilal tosses it up around middle, it spins back in. Lyon tries to play it with the turn but he seems to have missed it. The ball lobs towards short leg. The fielder takes it and appeals but the umpire shakes his head. By looking at the replay, it seems like Lyon had missed it.

Yasir Shah to Tim Paine. Flatter on middle, Paine keeps it out. 12 balls more.

Yasir Shah to Tim Paine. Beaten! Beauty from Shah. Gives this a lot of air and keeps it full around off. Paine comes forward looking to defend but the ball pitches and spins sharply away. The main thing though is that it misses his outside edge completely and Paine survives.