Australia dudded by 'farcical' rule as Pakistan survive in Test epic
Australia were left to rue a number of costly missed chances and a 'farcical' DRS rule as Pakistan held on for a thrilling draw in the second Test in Karachi on Wednesday.
Babar Azam's batting brilliance, video review vagaries and some fielding flops thwarted the Aussies as Mohammad Rizwan's late century helped Pakistan hold on for a draw.
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Nathan Lyon took three wickets in the last 13 overs, but the Australians fell three wickets short of their first-ever Test triumph in Karachi.
Chasing 506 runs for victory, Babar made a heroic 196 and Rizwan a superb 104 not out as Pakistan finished on 7-443.
The Australians missed a number of chances to dismiss Babar and Rizwan, with Usman Khawaja grassing a simple chance off Rizwan late in the day.
However the tourists believed he should have been out much earlier in the day when he got the benefit of the doubt due to a 'farcical' DRS rule.
The technology showed the ball was hitting the stumps after the Aussies appealed for lbw off the bowling of Mitchell Swepson.
The ball was also pitching and hit Rizwan in-line with the stumps, which would normally produce three red lights and have the on-field decision overturned.
But the technology deemed that because Rizwan had advanced to more than three metres from the stumps it couldn't accurately predict the ball's path and the decision stayed at 'umpire's call'.
The Aussies couldn't believe their luck after Babar also survived a perilously close lbw review just a a few balls earlier.
Fans and commentators immediately called for the 'over three metre' rule to be scrapped.
This is becoming farcical…#PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/HzyiqYwjeC
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) March 16, 2022
It's out on all 3 requirements for LBW that's the problem. What's this 3m bullshit? Never heard of it, seems like just another way to get weak umpires off the hook for not having the guts to make decisions. If it's out it's out, doesn't matter how far down the wicket it hits him.
— John Richard Beck (@JBhifidelity73) March 16, 2022
Only in cricket can a bowler do his job well and his opponent is the one who profits
— Future 3x Norm Smith Medallist Josh Ward fan acc (@RedTillTheEnd) March 16, 2022
That’s the rule but yea it needs to be looked at u either trust the technology or u don’t
— Steven Rowe (@Stevenrowe25) March 16, 2022
Was plumb live. Had to be given out
— ilovewalla (@chipsy85084187) March 16, 2022
Why does it matter that he's 3m down the pitch, if it was still hitting the stumps?
Stupid rule.#PAKvAUS— James Kirwan (@tiny455) March 16, 2022
bloody 3m rule #PAKvAUS
if it was hitting then it should be out— thetipsman (@thetipsguru) March 16, 2022
Pakistan hold on for extraordinary Test draw
The series remains 0-0 ahead of the third and final Test in Lahore starting on Monday.
Babar blunted Australia's bowlers in a 425-ball epic, posting the highest-ever score by a captain in the fourth innings of a Test.
But the skipper's gallant resistance ended when dismissed by Lyon with 12.2 overs remaining.
Lyon removed Faheem Ashraf for a golden duck next ball to revive Australian hopes of a last-gasp win.
Lyon's hat-trick ball was defended by Sajid Khan, but the rapid strikes left Australia needing four more wickets in a dozen overs with the third new ball.
With 49 balls remaining, Lyon snared another wicket when Sajid was caught at slip.
But with 19 balls left, Khawaja dropped a dolly of a catch at cover to gift Rizwan a lifeline.
And with eight balls remaining, a diving Rizwan on 99 just returned to his crease after advancing to Lyon, who threw down the stumps.
Rizwan registered his ton from the next ball and then negotiated four balls off the last over before Australian captain Pat Cummins called a halt with victory impossible.
Fans can't believe it 😕#PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/EMgoENUpcU
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 14, 2022
Man pakistans chase is insane #PAKvAUS cmonnn @babarazam258 smash 300
— Salilacharya (@Salilacharya) March 16, 2022
Show of insane level of grit, determination and skill by @babarazam258. Innings of the highest class and quality. 196(425) in 4th innings chasing a daunting target of 506 against a quality bowling attack from Australia has to be one of the best!! Legendary👏🏻👏🏻#PAKvAUS
— Sreedhar Hegde (@ShreedharHegde) March 16, 2022
Insane numbers of records has been broken so far in this 4th inngs, Pakistan actually killed the confidence of Aussies before lahore test #PAKvAUS
— WAZIR🇵🇰 (@156kph) March 16, 2022
I am going to frame this. Can't believe what i just witness for #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/ypf9zN3PDH
— Kar Shoaeb (@KarShoaeb) March 16, 2022
Still can't believe it happened in real life and we saved this match, Babar azam you bloody master #PAKvAUS
— WAZIR🇵🇰 (@156kph) March 16, 2022
Highly unlikely now but my god if Pakistan actually do go for this, will be an incredible couple of hours!
Gabba and Karachi for Australia in 14 months?#PAKvAUS— Arinjay Ghosh (@ArinjayGhosh) March 16, 2022
with AAP
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