Australia absolutely steamrolled through Pakistan to get a 79-run win in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. The tailenders of the Men in Green failed to hold their fort as the Aussie bowlers unleashed a furious assault to send the team packing. The hosts have sealed the Test series with their win and now hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
PAK vs AUS: Shan Masood and co crumble to 79-run defeat at MCG
Pakistan began their run-chase in the 4th innings after bowling out Australia for 262 runs in their 2nd innings. Skipper Shan Masood was the only batsman who stood tall, scoring a 60-run knock before he was dismissed. Pat Cummins was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as he secured a five-wicket haul, picking up his 250th Test wicket en route to the tremendous feat.
The visitors lost both openers – Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq – cheaply as their 2nd innings commenced. Babar Azam (41) tried his best to stay for long at the crease but was ultimately castled by Josh Hazlewood, leaving the former Pakistan skipper with no half-centuries in 2023.
Agha Salman tried to fight back the Aussies with a valiant 50 before he became the penultimate man to be dismissed. Two successive wickets off consecutive deliveries ensured Australia the emphatic win in the 2nd Test at the MCG. Australia skipper Pat Cummins finished with figures of 5/49 from his 18 over spell. Mitchell Starc, on the other hand, added four scalps to his name to finish with figures of 4/55. Mitchell Marsh added one wicket to his name, ensuring that the pacers shared all the spoils in the 2nd innings.
