Pakistan looked like overcoming a first innings deficit and getting a lead against Australia on the third day of the final Test match until Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc ripped through the batting unit. The bowling performance ensured Australia got a healthy lead entering into the fourth day of the Test match.
Pakistan was motoring along on 248/3 before losing seven wickets for just 20 runs. They lost their last 5 wickets for only 4 runs, registering their worst ever batting collapse in Test cricket history. Previously, Pakistan’s worst batting collapse occurred against South Africa in 2003 as they lost their last 5 wickets for 5 runs.
Here are Pakistan’s worst batting collapses in Test cricket:
| Opposition | Runs | Ground | Year | 6th wicket | Total |
| Australia | 4 | Lahore | 2022 | 264/6 | 268 |
| South Africa | 5 | Cape Town | 2003 | 247/6 | 252 |
| Australia | 7 | Brisbane | 1995 | 233/6 | 240 |
| Sri Lanka | 8 | Colombo | 1986 | 124/6 | 132 |
| West Indies | 8 | Faisalabad | 1990 | 146/6 | 154 |
*Last 5 wickets
Earlier, Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali put on a 150-run stand for the third wicket as both players scored scintillating half-centuries. Babar Azam stepped into the middle and also scored a brilliant half-century as Pakistan looked in complete control.
Things quickly went south as the Men in Green lost Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, Hasan Ali, Babar Azam, and Naseem Shah in a space of 19 balls while adding just four runs to their total. Pat Cummins picked up a magnificent five-wicket haul while Starc picked up 4 wickets as they steam-rolled past Pakistan’s batting unit.
Stats via ESPNCricinfo
