Pakistan win a thriller

LEEDS, England, July 24 (AFP) - Pakistan held their nerve to claim a first Test victory against Australia in 15 years during a tense fourth-day finish at Headingley here on Saturday.

Pakistan, set 180 to win, lost four wickets for 40 runs before finishing on 180 for seven and a three-wicket win as they levelled this two-Test series at 1-1. Left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer was five not out and Umar Gul, who hit the winning run off Mitchell Johnson, one not out as Pakistan ended a run of 13 straight Test defeats by Australia - a record for one country against another.

Pakistan were still five short when Australia's Michael Hussey appealed for a gully catch against Kamran Akmal on 13, off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson but replays were inconclusive. And then left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer, who took seven wickets in the match, edged Ben Hilfehnaus through the slips for four to tie the scores. But there was one more twist with Kamran Akmal brilliantly caught by Hussey off Johnson and this time there was no doubt.

Gul, though, hammered his first ball from Johnson through the offside and Pakistan had won with more than a day and two sessions to spare.