Proud in defeat

Former Pakistan greats on Monday hailed the team's remarkable fightback in the first Test against Australia, saying Misbahul Haq's charges had made the country proud even in defeat.

Pakistan fell 39 short of a mammoth 490-run target on the fifth and final day of the Test, with Asad Shafiq scoring a magnificent 137 at Brisbane.

"Great fightback by Pak in Brisbane led by gutsy Shafiq," he tweeted. "There is no shame in losing when the team fights till the last ball.They have made us proud," said former Pakistan captain Imran Khan.

"The Brisbane pitch became easy on the last two days so it suited batsmen but one must praise Pakistan's fightback because they almost did what no team has achieved before," said Javed Miandad.

"It's very rare that Pakistan loses like this, they fought hard and fought till late and it left Australians sweating,” said fast bowling great Wasim Akram.

"The way Pakistan have fought will put them in good stead for the next two Tests and Australia will know that they have fight at hands."