Pakistan achieved their first series win over Australia in 20 years with a thumping 356-run win in the second Test in Abu Dhabi on Monday, taking the two-match series 2-0.
The elusive win lifts Pakistan to number three in International Cricket Council’s Test rankings behind number one South Africa and Australia.
Spinners Zulfiqar Babar (5-120) and Yasir Shah (3-44) rocked Australia once again for 246 in the second innings soon after lunch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Pakistan won the first Test by 221 runs in Dubai.
Pakistan had taken a big step forward after scoring a mammoth 570-6 declared in their first innings and getting a 309-run lead by dismissing Australia for 261.
That never allowed Australia to stage a comeback and avoid series defeat for the first time since losing 1-0 in Pakistan in 1994.
The defeat was Australia’s third worst in all Test cricket behind their 675 run loss against England in Brisbane in 1928 and by 408 against the West Indies at Adelaide in 1980.
In contrast Pakistan registered their biggest win in terms of runs, beating their 341-run victory over India at Karachi in 2006.
Pakistan had to fight hard in the morning session as Steven Smith defied Pakistan during his resolute knock of 97, but once Smith departed, leg-before by Shah, Australia lost their last four wickets for the addition of just eight runs.
Smith added an invaluable 107 for the fifth wicket with Mitchell Marsh, who fell after scoring 47.
