There is all to play for heading into the final day of the third Test match between Pakistan and Australia, in Karachi, with the outcome not only of the match but the whole series in doubt.
Australia began the Day 4 in a position of strength. They made 391 in their first Innings.A dramatic batting collapse then saw Pakistan lose their last seven wickets for just 20 runs in the space of 10 overs. Australia began their second innings with a 123-run lead, and added 11 more on Day 3.
David Warner and Usman Khawaja extended the lead overnight. They added 85 more until Warner, who had just got his fifty, was bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi for 51, with a six and six fours.
Marnus Labuschagne had been out for a duck in the second innings, but there was no repeat this time. He helped Khawaja add 65 for the second wicket before being caught by Sajid Khan off Nauman Ali for 36.
Naseem Shah had Steven Smith caught behind for 17, but Khawaja carried on, eventually reaching his century in the company of Travis Head. Shortly afterwards, Pat Cummins declared the innings with Australia 227/3. Head was unbeaten on 11 and Khawaja on 104, having faced 178 balls, and hit eight fours.
That meant Pakistan needed 351 to win the match.
Australia were hoping to make quick inroads into the Pakistan second innings. Instead the opening pair of Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq saw out the rest of the day unscathed. They reached stumps at 73 without loss, Shafique on 27 and Imam on 42.
That means that Pakistan need 278 still to win, and all four results are still possible on the final day. Did Australia gamble wrongly by declaring too early, or will Pakistan collapse once more if they can get rid of this pair early?
Brief scores
Australia 391 (Usman Khawaja 91; Naseem Shah 4-58, Shaheen Shah Afridi 4-79) and 227/3 (Usman Khawaja 104*; Naseem Shah 1-23) lead Pakistan 268 (Abdullah Shafique 81; Pat Cummins 5-56, Mitchell Starc 4-33) and 73/0 (Imam-ul-Haq 42*) by 350 runs.