Pakistan’s wait for a Test match win in Australia continued as Shan Masood’s men were comfortably outclassed by 360 runs on Day 4 of the first Test of their 3-match series by Pat Cummins’s side in Perth on Sunday, December 17. Pakistan were bundled out for their third-lowest total on Australian soil (89) as they crumbled in the final innings of the Test. | AUS vs PAK, 1st Test Scorecard |
Pakistan lasted just 30.2 overs in the final session after they set a daunting target of 450 on the 4th day of the Test. Pakistan were expected to put up a resolute show with the bat in the final innings of the series opener at the Optus Stadium, but they were blown away by a top-quality Australian bowling attack. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood picked up 3 wickets each, but Nathan Lyon was the star of the 4th day’s play as he completed the landmark of 500 Test wickets, becoming only the 2nd Australian spinner after legendary Shane Warne to do so.
The 360-run defeat was the second-biggest for Pakistan in Test cricket in terms of runs after their 471-run loss which also came in Perth in 2004. Shan Masood’s start to Test captaincy was expected to be tough, but the lack of fight from the Asian giants, especially in the second innings is a cause for concern. Pakistan have now lost 15 Tests on the trot in Australia with their last win coming in 1995.
It was a disappointing show from Pakistan in the final innings as they were not able to step up and keep the Australian pacers at bay on a pitch that was going up and down at the Optus Stadiium. Australia had declared after lunch on 233-5 in 63.2 overs, having posted 487 earlier and bowling Pakistan out for 271 in the first innings.
89 AND GONE: PAKISTAN CRUMBLE IN PERTH
Pakistan’s fourth innings run-chase started in shambolic fashion as they were reduced to 48-4 inside 15 overs before Tea. Opener Abdullah Shafique fell as early as the first over as Mitchell Starc breathed fire with the new ball.
Shan Masood was not able to resist his temptation of poking at a delivery that was angled outside the off-stump as he fell for 2 to Josh Hazlewood.
Imam-ul-Haq was the third man to fall as he was undone by Mitchell Starc’s pace and seam movement.
Former captain Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel added 29 runs for the 4th wicket but Babar got a gem from Pat Cummins just befoe Tea, outside edging one to the keeper for 14. The former captain’s life after stepping down as captain has gotten off to a poor start as he managed 35 runs across two innings in the perth Test.
Saud Shakeel hung in there but he lost partners at some pace.
Nathan Lyon’s job was made easier when he came into the attack as Pakistan’s top-order was blown away. Faheem Ashraf became his 500th Test victim as Lyon became only the 3rd Australian bowler to enter the elite club after Shane Warner and Glenn McGrath. He is also the 4th spinner after Muttiah Muralitharan, Warne and Anil Kumble to get to the milestone.
Lyon then took his tally to 501 by getting the wicket of Aamer Jamal with an unplayable off-spinner.
Mitchell Marsh was named the Player of the Match for his efforts with the bat in both innings. The all-rounder, who kept Cameron Green out, hit 90 and 63 in quick time, adding impetus to the innings with his approach. Marsh also got the wicket of Babar Azam in the first innings of the contest.
David Warner was the star of the show in the first innings for Australia as he silenced critics with a sensational 164. Warner brought up his 26th Test hundred on Day 1 of the Test, setting the done for a dominant Australian win in Perth.
The two teams will meet in the 2nd Test after a 9-day break in Melbourne. Pakistan will also play a tour game before the Boxing Day contest.