Cricket world swoons over Pakistan rival's gesture for David Warner

Regardless of the final outcome of Australia's Test series Pakistan, one thing that's certain is the cricket world loves the blossoming 'bromance' between David Warner and Shaheen Afridi.

On the final ball of day three, the Aussie batsman and Pakistani quick went chest-to-chest and stared at each other in a pretend confrontation, before both men burst out laughing.

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Cricket fans and commentators loved the comical moment, especially considering the height difference between the two men.

Warner later posted a selfie with Afridi, showing the two players smiling and hugging.

Before the penultimate day of the decisive third Test got underway in Lahore on Thursday, the pair was also spotted entering the stadium together.

Given the lovely new relationship between the rival players, it was perhaps fitting that when Warner was removed for 51 runs on day four, Afridi was the man who took the wicket.

The Pakistani quick dislodged Warner's off-stump after clean-bowling the Aussie opener, before celebrating with teammates and blowing a kiss to the crowd.

Afridi then walked over to Warner in another touching moment between the pair, as the Aussie walked off the pitch and back to the pavilion.

The Pakistani paceman shook Warner's hand and gave him a pat on the helmet, before they shared a heartwarming embrace.

Cynics would be forgiven for chalking it up as mind games from Afridi, but the cricket romantics couldn't get enough of the brilliant theatre that highlighted the tremendous spirit the three-Test series has been played under.

Aussies confident after gutsy declaration

Warner's half century came before run-machine Usman Khawaja made another ton on day four to put Australia in position to win the third and final Test.

Pakistan require 278 on the fifth and final day in Lahore to claim the Benaud-Qadir Trophy after being set a target of 351.

Pat Cummins' bold declaration early in the final session on Thursday at 3-227 left Australia with 120 overs to bowl Pakistan out and win the series 1-0.

The hosts survived for 172 overs to force a draw in the second Test, making 7-443 in the fourth-innings.

Openers Imam-ul-Haq (42 no) and Abdullah Shafique (27 no) will resume on Friday at 0-73 as Pakistan attempt to pull off their biggest run-chase on home soil.

If Pakistan are successful, it would comfortably top the 1994 team's effort in scoring 314 against Mark Taylor's Australia in Karachi.

But after spending plenty of time out in the middle of the Gaddafi Stadium, Khawaja thinks Australia's bowlers still have the upper hand.

"It's going to be very hard to bat on the last day," Khawaja said.

"If we can get (the ball) reversing like we did in the first-innings, then we're right in this contest.

"It's really hard to score against the pace bowlers...so I'm not too worried about Pakistan chasing down the total.

"Anything's possible, but if you bowl consistently well then it's a very hard wicket to push the scoreboard moving forward.

"I feel like this is a tougher day-five wicket than at Karachi.

"If Pakistan can win this Test match then hats off to them, but this is what you want Test cricket to be with all opportunities remaining."

Whatever the outcome in this Test, Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan, will surely be named player-of-the-series after hitting 496 runs at 165.33.

It has been an extraordinary resurgence for the 35-year-old, who'se become the most prolific batter in the world after only being recalled to the Australian team three months ago as cover for an isolating Travis Head.

Khawaja brought up his fourth century of 2022 - and 12th of his Test career - with his unbeaten 104 in Australia's second innings.

The knocks adds to his 160 in the last Test in Karachi and his dual Ashes tons at the SCG in January.

Khawaja has now racked up 751 runs this year at an average of more than 125 in just five Tests.

with AAP

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