Australia vs Pakistan: Aussies secured a series win against Pakistan after triumphing in the second Test by 79 runs in Melbourne. This victory propelled them to an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series.
Chasing 317 runs, Pakistan fell short and were dismissed for 237 in their second innings on Friday.
Pat Cummins, leading from the front, claimed five wickets in the match and earned the Player of the Match award. Mitchell Starc supported with four crucial wickets in the second innings.
Pakistan fought hard, with Shan Masood leading the charge with an impressive 60 runs. Despite partnerships from Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman, Australia’s consistent wicket-taking saw them through.
Rizwan’s controversial dismissal, initially not given out, was overturned after a review showed a possible glove. This turned the tide, leaving Pakistan 98 runs away from victory.
Agha Salman’s fifty and Babar Azam’s promising innings were in vain as Australia’s bowlers, particularly Hazlewood, kept chipping away at the wickets. Azam’s struggle in red-ball cricket continued as he missed out on a Test fifty in 2023, a rare occurrence in his career.
Pakistan’s history in Australia hasn’t been favorable, having lost 16 consecutive Tests since their last win in 1995. The final Test of the series is slated for January 3 in Sydney.
Pakistan vs Australia Teams
Australia Playing XI:
- David Warner
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Mitchell Marsh
- Alex Carey
- Pat Cummins (capt)
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon
- Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan Playing XI:
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Abdullah Shafique
- Shan Masood (capt)
- Babar Azam
- Saud Shakeel
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Agha Salman
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Hasan Ali
- Mir Hamza
- Aamer Jamal