Nervy Pakistan finally defeat Australia after shaky morning

PAKISTAN secured their first Test win against Australia in 15 years after they nervously knocked off the 40 runs they required on the fourth morning at Headingley.

Pakistan's breakthrough win had looked like a mere formality at the start of the day, when they resumed at 140 for three, but they conspired to lose four wickets in an unexpectedly tense finale.

Australia sensed the chance for a remarkable victory, after they had been bowled out for just 88 on the opening day.

But, in the end, Pakistan stumbled across the line, with Kamran Akmal's 13 never more vital, to help secure a three-wicket win and level the two-Test series at 1-1.

Umar Gul finally sealed the win with an uppish cover drive, that Australia skipper Ricky Ponting almost got a hand to, for a single that prompted jubilant Pakistani celebrations.

It was also a dream start for new skipper Salman Butt, who was hastily promoted into the role after Shahid Afridi's retirement from Test cricket last week.

Australia had set a chase of 180 on Friday, but Pakistan had looked on course after Imran Farhat and Azhar Ali combined in a stand of 110 for the second wicket.

While Farhat was out for 67, Azhar, in just his second Test, began yesterday with the chance to sew up victory alongside Umar Akmal, but both were out for the addition of just ten runs.

Azhar cut Doug Bollinger to the boundary to bring up his maiden Test half-century in the second over, but he then feathered the next ball through to wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

There were a few nerves in the Pakistan camp with Umar then edging Ben Hilfenhaus just wide of second slip for four, before a finer edge flew through to Paine to leave his side needing 30 with five wickets in hand.

Kamran had not scored when he survived a big shout for caught behind and then lbw from Bollinger but umpire Rudi Koertzen correctly turned down both appeals.

Shoaib Malik was then dropped by Michael Clarke at second slip to add to the building drama. Malik progressed to ten before he was brilliantly caught by Marcus North. His dismissal left Pakistan needing 19 with four wickets in hand.

Kamran steeled the nerves with a couple of boundaries, and when Mohammad Aamer edged Hilfenhaus for four in the next over the scores were level.

Gul finally finished the morning of drama when he drove Johnson for a single and end a run of 13 successive Test defeats against Australia.