Australia has won its first Test series in Asia since 2011 with a 115-run victory over Pakistan in Lahore, claiming the three-Test series 1-0.
In a series that ultimately went down to the final session of the final day of the final Test, Australia's patience was well rewarded as Pat Cummins lifted the Benaud-Qadir Trophy.
Nathan Lyon took 5-83 in 37 gruelling overs, with Cummins adding 3-23 as Australia claimed the 10 wickets it needed for victory.
Pakistan's openers were unbeaten and well set as the teams entered the field of play for the final time in the series, and Cummins' sporting declaration with a lead of 350 was such that all results were still on the table with the series at stake.
Pakistan resumed on 0-73, but any nerves in the Australian ranks that might have developed overnight were quashed when Abdullah Shafique (27) was caught behind off Cameron Green (1-18) with the score on 77.
"We knew we'd [have to] bide our time," Cummins said at the presentation, where he was awarded man of the match.
Usman Khawaja was named man of the series.
"The way we applied ourselves today, everyone was up for it, it was awesome," Cummins added.
If Pakistan were to record an unlikely victory they needed everything to go their way, which was not the case when Azhar Ali (17) was controversially given out caught by Steve Smith off the bowling of Lyon.
Given not out on field, forensic analysis of the ultra-edge system revealed a minuscule flicker as the ball passed the edge of the bat.
Third umpire Asif Yaqoob decided was enough to overturn the decision, to the disgust of the Pakistan number three.
That left Pakistan on 2-105, which became 3-142 when Imam-ul-Haq (70) feathered an edge onto his pad that was caught by Marnus Labuschagne.
Fawad Alam (11) was then trapped in front by Cummins, followed swiftly by Mohammed Rizwan (0), who departed in the same manner.
However, had Rizwan reviewed, replays would have shown he was struck outside the line and would have been handed a reprieve.
With his departure, the end appeared inevitable for Pakistan, who deserve hugh amounts of credit for going toe-to-toe with Australia throughout the series.
Babar Azam (55) combined with Sajid Khan (21) for a 46-run partnership, but both departed within five balls of each other caught off the bowling of Lyon and Mitchell Starc respectively with the score on 213.
Hasan Ali (13) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (5) both got out to the impressive Lyon after playing some shots, before Cummins came back to end Pakistan's resistance, clean bowling Naseem Shah (1) to win the series 1-0.
Look back on how all the action unfolded in our live blog.
Key events
- Australia wins the final Test by 115 runs!
- Nathan Lyon has five! Australia one away!
- Bowled him! Hasan Ali's brief cameo ends as he plays on!
- OUT! Sajid Khan hits it straight to Usman Khawaja, Pakistan 7-213!
- EDGED, TAKEN! BABAR AZAM GOES!
- Fifty for Babar Azam!
- Tea: Pakistan 5-190 (Babar Azam 46 off 94, Sajid Khan 8 off 35), require 161 runs to win
- LBW! Riwan is out LBW!
- OUT! FAWAD ALAM IS OUT LBW! CAPTAIN PAT STRIKES AGAIN!
- APPEAL! OUT! IMAM IS GIVEN OUT CAUGHT BY LABUSCHAGNE AT SILLY COVER!
- Lunch: Pakistan 2-136 (Imam-ul-Haq 66 off 194, Babar 19 off 40), 215 runs behind
- Azhar Ali is given out caught controversially!
- Fifty for Imam-ul-Haq!
- EDGED! TAKEN! ABDULLAH SHAFIQUE IS CAUGHT BEHIND OFF CAMERON GREEN!
Live updates
By Simon Smale
Australia wins the final Test by 115 runs!
It's not just the Test victory, but a hard-fought series that Australia has won on the final session of the final day of the final Test.
Incredible stuff from Australia, fitting that Pat Cummins got the final wicket after Nathan Lyon's toils were rewarded with a five-for.
They had to work so hard for that, all series they've had to toil and dig in and battle and fight for every inch, but when it's counted, a brilliant performance as a captain and leader of the attack by Cummins.
It's the first time Australia has won a Test series in Asia since 2011!
Thanks so much for being here with me to witness that, it was a cracking day's play and has been a very interesting series all up.
We'll see you again on here soon, I"m sure.
From me, Simon Smale, as well as our two bloggers from the first and second Tests, Dean Bilton and Jon Healy, good night.
Audience comment by Rumplestiltskin
It's time I said thank you, Simon and Dean; For your long solo blogs at the blogging machine; Your wit, gifs and humour have kept bay the inane; So I'll raise you a toast - and please do it again!
Audience comment by Peter
Wow what a series. Just fantastic test matches and on the last day it has all come together.
Audience comment by Mark
Seriously great effort Simon. You have kept us all not only simply up to date but also entertained and in tune with the various issues and talking points. Thank you.
By Simon Smale
'We knew we'd bide our time': Cummins
Here's winning skipper, Pat Cummins
He's the third Aussie captain to win a series in Pakistan behind Richie Benaud and Mark Taylor.
"I thought 350 was a total if they'd batted really really well they'd be in the game, but if we bowled to our potential, it was a long way away," Cummins said.
"We needed 110 overs so glad we got there in the end.
"It was kind of weird, the trend of the game was that the first couple of wickets were really hard to get.
"We knew we'd bide our time and the way we applied ourselves today, everyone was up for it, it was awesome.
"I'm really happy with how everyone went."
He adds that it's been an amazing experience to tour and that they've been very well looked after.
He also thanks Babar Azam for a match played with lots of laughs.
By Simon Smale
Player of the series: Usman Khawaja!
"First and foremost, I want to thank Pakistan and Pakistani fans," Khawaja says.
"Even when we weren't winning, we've been having so much fun, winning this match here today is the icing on the cake.
"Coming a long way from possibly not even coming to Pakistan to touring Pakistan to touring Pakistan and being one of the first major countries to do it."
He says that he thought that his hundred yesterday was one of his hardest ever hundreds as it was so hard to score on the pitch.
He said that was why the team thought Pakistan could not chase down 350 runs and why the declaration was made with that total in mind.
By Simon Smale
Player of the match: Pat Cummins!
He took 3-23 in the second innings and his overall leadership was excellent, including that sporting declaration to set up today's win.
By Simon Smale
Man of the match: Nathan Lyon
The 5-83 in the second innings gets Lyon over the line.
By Simon Smale
Here's the presentations
There's a cast of thousands for these presentations, and there's loads of awards to come.
There's novelty cheques flying around all over the place...
By Simon Smale
Your thoughts on a terrific performance
Yahoo a series win in Pakistan
-rd
Hat's off to Ussie as well - he making test cricket seem like a game!
-Mike
Cheers Simon well done mate go and grab a pint and a pie, you did good.
-Pete
Really appreciated the coverage Simon. You’re the real man of the series
-Bart
Thank you Simon. Thank you Pat. Thank you Pakistan.
-Old timer
Audience comment by Steph in Melbourne
great that Cummins got the last wicket. What a series. For two often dull draws, there were many highlights. Then the third - timely declaration, good bowling in the latter half of the day.
Excellent team play. Well done Aussies.
And well done Simon - blogging all alone, never a dull moment with you! Thanks so much!
Audience comment by AJ
I know I said when today started I had full faith for ten wickets but ahhhh!!!! I can't believe it!!
By Simon Smale
BOWLED HIM! STUMPS FLY EVERYWHERE!
Pat Cummins sends Naseem Shah's stumps flying all over the place, a brilliant ball to a below average batter - he never stood a chance.
By Simon Smale
93rd over - Pat Cummins to bowl
A real short spell from Mitch Swepson, as the captain decides he wants to finish things off for his side.
Audience comment by Sid
Surely uzzie gets a bowl for his efforts !
Audience comment by Steph in Melbourne
Finally, we won (nearly) in a fourth innings! Great declaration! Let's party!
