Twitter Reactions: Babar Azam's century sets up Karachi Test for an exciting Day 5 finish

It’s all perfectly set up for fifth day of the second Test match being played between Pakistan and Australia at National Stadium, Karachi. While the home-side will require 314 more runs to win, the visitors just have to scalp a total of eight wickets to win the second match and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series.

Australian batters both Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja walked into the middle at the start of Day 4 with a massive lead of 489 runs. Both the batters tried to score quick runs during their stay at the crease. However, Australian skipper Pat Cummins decided to declare their second inning after Labuschagne was castled by Shaheen Afridi. As a result, Pakistan were set a humongous target of 506 runs.

Pakistan had a poor start in their chase

In reply, Pakistan openers both Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq were batting cautiously till skipper Cummins introduced spin from both ends just after the completion of four overs. It proved to be a masterstroke as veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon pinned Imam right in front of the stumps.

The home side ensured that no further damage is done till to lunch with their score reading 18/1 in 21 overs. The visitors had success right after the lunch break as they managed to send Azhar Ali back to the pavilion on the bowling of all-rounder Cameron Green getting him out LBW. Pakistan were now in a great trouble after being reduced to 23/2 in 23 overs.

However, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and other opener Shafique stitched together an important partnership as they took the score to 192/2 at Stumps on Day 4, still needing 314 more runs to win on the final Day.

The home-side skipper Babar also completed a fine hundred as the batter looked in complete control of his inning throughout the day and will be Australia’s main wicket to claim going into the final day. On the other hand, Shafique (71 off 226 balls) will also look to help his skipper and try to complete his century as well.

The Test match is set up for an intriguing finish on the last day and it remains to be seen if Pakistan will be able to create history. Babar Azam will be crucial for the hosts while spinners Lyon and Mitchell Swepson will have to step up for Australia.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: