Australia win toss, bat in deciding third Pakistan Test

Pakistan's captain Babar Azam (L) tosses a coin as his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins looks on before the start of the first day of the third cricket Test match between Pakistan and Australia in Lahore on March 21, 2022. (AFP)
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Updated 21 March 2022
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Australia win toss, bat in deciding third Pakistan Test

  • Pakistan have brought in fast bowler Naseem Shah in place of all-rounder Faheem Ashraf
  • The Test is the first to take place in Lahore since 2009 attack on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan team

LAHORE: Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat in the series-deciding third and final Test against Pakistan at Lahore on Monday.

The visitors kept the same team that drew the second Test in Karachi last week, while Pakistan brought in fast bowler Naseem Shah in place of all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.

The three-Test series is deadlocked at 0-0 after the first Test in Rawalpindi also ended in a draw.

The Test is the first to take place in Lahore since 2009 fatal terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus that forced Pakistan to play their home matches abroad, mostly in the United Arab Emirates.

Australia are touring Pakistan for the first time since 1998, having previously refused to play in the country because of security fears.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah

Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Ahsan Raza (PAK)

TV umpire: Asif Yaqoob (PAK)

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)


FIA president praises Saudi Arabia boost of Dakar Rally

Updated 14 January 2026
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FIA president praises Saudi Arabia boost of Dakar Rally

  • Mohammed Ben Sulayem will attend the climax of the 48th edition at the weekend

DUBAI: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has praised Saudi Arabia for helping the Dakar Rally emerge as one of the world’s top events, and boosting the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship.

Ben Sulayem will attend the 48th edition of the legendary race as it reaches its climax at the weekend.

The opening round of the championship has attracted a record 72 entries. It will also mark the launch of the new FIA Master Drivers’ Championship, and the entry of Defender as a new manufacturer.

Ben Sulayem will be welcomed on Friday by Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.

The FIA president, who will speak at the closing ceremony on Saturday evening, said the event “continues to go from strength to strength.”

He added that the race now has a “record numbers of entries, new manufacturers, and ever-increasing competition in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, reflecting the continued global growth of motorsport.”

He thanked Prince Khalid and the federation “for hosting another outstanding event and delivering a truly world-class experience for competitors, fans, and all those involved.”

Joining Ben Sulayem on his visit will be Malcolm Wilson, the FIA’s deputy president for sport.

“The 2026 edition of the Dakar Rally continues to showcase both the growth of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and the strength of Cross-Country rallying as a whole,” said Wilson.

He added that it was “encouraging to see three manufacturers – Toyota, Dacia and Ford – all increasing their presence,” and welcomed Defender in the Stock category.