Warner earns fitting farewell as Australia complete clean sweep

In a chase of 130, David Warner signed off with a brisk 57 as he led a comfortable chase by Australia who completed a clean sweep over Pakistan.

Australia’s chase suffered an early setback when Usman Khawaja was pinned back by Sajid Khan in the opening over. But Pakistan’s raised hopes were quickly snuffed out by a clinical century partnership between Warner and Marnus Labuschagne for the second wicket.

Typically it was Warner who led the way – cutting, reverse-sweeping and flicking strong boundaries to quickly reverse the pressure on Pakistan who were cock-a-hoop after the early breakthrough. Labuschagne proved to be the ideal foil, remaining solid but prepared to loft the spinners when needed.  The duo made sure there weren’t too many hiccups in the chase after that. Warner went on to register his 63rd fifty-plus score in Test cricket, and made his final outing in the format an even more memorable one having already walked out to a guard of honour from Shan Masood and Co.

The duo brought up their seventh 100-plus partnership and made sure that Australia’s bowling efficacy wasn’t wasted. For before the batting heroics, Australia had the bowling to thank for once again to set up the gettable target.

While Josh Hazlewood’s inspired over had reduced Pakistan to 67/7 overnight, they began the fourth day with some resistance from Mohammad Rizwan and Aamer Jamal before the former was out caught at leg slip off Nathan Lyon with Warner taking a sharp catch. As the resistance broke, the rest crumbled as Pat Cummins bouncing out Jamal before Lyon cleaned up Hasan Ali.

Warner and Labuschagne carried Australia through nearly over the line before the former was trapped LBW with 11 to win. Nevertheless, it allowed for a perfect farewell as Australia finished the series with a comprehensive margin of 3-0.

Brief scores:
Pakistan 313 (Mohammad Rizwan 88, Aamer Jamal 82, Agha Salman 53; Pat Cummins 5-67) & 115 (Saim Ayub 33; Josh Hazlewood 4-16, Nathan Lyon 3-36) lost to Australia 299 (Marnus Labuschagne 60, Mitchell Marsh 59; Aamer Jamal 6-69) & 130/2 (Marnus Labuschagne 62*, David Warner 57) by 8 wickets

(Cricbuzz)