Australia bowled Pakistan out for 268 runs in the first innings to take 123 runs lead

 Pakistan lost 7 wickets for just 20 runs as Pat Cummins and Starc ripped through the Pakistani batting in the last session of the day 3

Australia fast bowlers pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc ripped through the Pakistani batting in the last session of the day 3 of the last test match at Qaddafi stadium Lahore. Pakistan bowled out at 268 runs in the first innings. Australia takes 123 runs lead in the first innings. Pakistan lost 7 wickets for just 20 runs. Babar Azam, Azhar Ali and Abdullah Shafique scored half-centuries. Pat Cummins took 5 for 57 and Starc took 4 wickets.

Australian Captain Cummins bowled an impeccable line and length to pick up his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests while Starc spewed fire with his pace and reverse swing to take four as Pakistan were all out for 268, replying to Australia's total of 391.

Australia openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner managed to see through three overs before stumps to take their side to 11-0, extending the lead to 134 overall.

With Pakistan appearing comfortable at 248-3, left-armer Starc triggered the collapse with a double strike to remove Fawad Alam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and then also picked up the prized wicket of Pakistan captain Babar Azam for 67.

Cummins, who had taken the only wicket to fall on Tuesday, ran through the lower order to leave the sparse crowd stunned in silence.

The collapse looked even more unbelievable after Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali struck resolute half-centuries, leaving Australia wicket less in the first session, to set up a good platform for Pakistan to post a sizeable total.

The 37-year-old Azhar, playing his 94th Test but the first at his home ground, made 78 and added 150 for the second wicket with Shafique. The 22-year-old Shafique, playing only his fifth Test, was out for 81, becoming the first wicket to fall in the second session of the day.

                                                           Sports Desk