Australia v Pakistan

Pakistan chose Mudassar Nazar as opening batsman for the injured Sadiq Mohammad and the left-arm orthodox spinner Iqbal Qasim for their first Test appearances while Australia brought back the opening batsman Davis for the first time since the 1974 tour of New Zealand.

Pakistan won the toss and batted on a firm, even wicket. Disaster struck early for Australia when Thomson, having dismissed Majid Khan and Mushtaq Mohammad in his first eight overs, ran towards square leg from his bowling mark in an attempt to catch Zaheer Abbas and collided with Turner, causing a dislocation of the collar bone of his right shoulder.

Thomson took no further part in the Test or the series, a severe loss to Australia and adding considerably to Lillee's burden. Zaheer carried on to make a brave 85 in just over three hours as O'Keeffe created problems with his leg-spin.

Davis made his comeback complete with an elegant maiden Test century aided by McCosker and Chappell.

The Pakistanis were incensed by Walters' refusal to walk early on the third day when he was 35. He played at a ball from Salim, the umpire rejected the appeal for a catch at the wicket, and Walters carried on for his 13th century in 58 Tests.

Without Thomson's troubling pace, Pakistan's batsmen settled down for a long defiance in their second innings, Majid and Mudassar sharing stand of 58, after which Zaheer completed a fine match with his third century in 21 Tests.

Australia were further weakened by Lillee straining a thigh, though he valiantly bowled on in the heat, and a foot infection which kept Gilmour out of the attack, leaving Lillee and O'Keeffe to bowl 65 of the 84 overs on the fourth day.

Asif Iqbal drove the ball with superb fluency for 152 not out, finding a resolute partner in Qasim, with whom he shared a record tenth wicket partnership of 87 runs. Asif defied Australia for four and a half hours.

Australia needed 285 runs in about five and a half hours and while Chappell and Walters were there, the objective was well within their grasp. Qasim's guile brought pressure on the batsmen and restricted their run rate, and when the 15 overs began, Marsh and Cosier had to score 56 runs for victory.

To the indignation of all cricket enthusiasts the batsmen defied the bowlers rather than attempting to gain the necessary runs and Australia finished 24 runs short of victory.