Babar Azam led the way for Pakistan in their fourth innings with a fighting, unbeaten hundred in Karachi, setting up an exciting fifth day in the second Test of their ongoing series against Australia.

When Babar reached triple figures in the final session of the day, it brought to an end a 25-month century drought for him in Tests. It was Babar’s first fourth-innings century, making him only the second Pakistan captain after Younis Khan to post a ton in the final innings of a Test. Overall, this is Babar’s sixth Test ton and his second against Australia.

It wasn’t a solo effort though; giving Babar company was opener Abdullah Shafique, who ended day four unbeaten on 71. Their unbroken partnership was worth 171 runs at the close of the fourth day’s play. Pakistan require a further 314 runs to complete what would be a record chase.

After the day’s play, a pleased Babar said: “The match is not over yet, so we need to continue playing in the same way, and the other batters also need to step up. After the first innings, we practised in the nets how to counter their reverse swing, just that we need to play slightly late.”

The cricketing community was effusive in its praise for the Pakistan skipper’s fighting effort.

Congratulations @babarazam258 on a fantastic 💯 and very good defence @imabd28 …go strong boys still a lot more need to be done tomorrow 👏🏻👏🏻👍👍#PakvAus

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) March 15, 2022

A responsible Captain's knock from @babarazam258 . Put your head down tomorrow and play for a miracle. You have it in you, you can do it.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 15, 2022

Babar Azam 👏👏, going to be an exciting finish tomorrow. #PAKvAUS

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) March 15, 2022

Incredible 💯 given the circumstances @babarazam258 #PAKvAUS

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) March 15, 2022

What a fifth day in store.Improbable possible? Masterful Babar #PakvAus

— Bazid Khan (@bazidkhan81) March 15, 2022

Understandably a lot of respect & admiration for Babar Azam from pretty much every member of the Australian team, acknowledging the fight shown by the classy Pakistani captain #PAKvAus pic.twitter.com/WHI5QBUBXt

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) March 15, 2022

Captain’s knock or what?! @babarazam258 with his first Test ton in two years. Brilliant! pic.twitter.com/1YrDsXLOjG

— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) March 15, 2022

Test cricket at it’s best in Karachi….Babar and Shafique enjoying another flat pitch🤣🤣👍…fight the good fight…Cummins superb too…come back tomorrow for another subcontinental thriller👏👏

— jim maxwell (@jimmaxcricket) March 15, 2022

The only thing that's surprising about Babar Azam peeling off that hundred is that it's only his sixth in Tests

— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) March 15, 2022

Great innings @babarazam258 “The king is back” 👏👏

— Yasir Hameed (@Yasir_HameedQ) March 15, 2022