After an incredible fightback on Day 2 by the visitors, Australia has taken the upperhand in the AUS vs PAK 1st Test in Perth. After taking Pakistan’s last 8 wickets for 139 runs, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja piled on the pain. Despite being reduced to 5/2 in the second inning, the hosts have taken a big lead in the game.
Starting Day 3 on 132/2, it wasn’t long before nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad departed. A 51-run stand between Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam gave Pakistan hope, but Mitchell Marsh ended Babar’s stay. The former skipper’s wicket proved to be the turning point, with Pakistan losing their last 6 wickets for 90 runs.
Southpaw Imam ended as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer (62), holding the fort. His 199-ball stay at the crease had started to frustrate the Aussies before Nathan Lyon got him stumped.
Rapid glovework from Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon now has 499 Test wickets!#CleanHands | #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/ft6aVewg8k
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2023
With every Australian bowler taking at least one wicket, Pakistan conceded a 216-run lead to the hosts. Lyon was the pick of the bowlers, claiming Imam, Abdullah Shafique, and Aamer Jamal as he inches closer to the 500-wicket mark.
Their pace trio, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, bagged 5 wickets among them. Part-time Travis Head ended the innings with his off-spin as Shaheen Afridi skied one while Marsh claimed the biggest wicket of all, Babar Azam.
Pakistani batsmen struggle
Despite the solid start, none of the batsmen other than Imam kicked on. Shafique fell for 42 and was soon followed by Khurram. Then, after a 50-run stand, Babar, Imam, and Sarfaraz Ahmed fell within a space of 5 overs.
Spin all-rounders Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha both scored 28 runs each and took Pakistan from 196-5 to 271. Salman fought back against the Aussies, ending unbeaten while his partners at the other end struggled.
AUS vs PAK: Brief Scores
Pakistan 1st innings: 271/10 (Imam-ul-Haq 62; Nathan Lyon 3/66)
Australia 2nd innings: 84/2, lead by 300 runs (Khurram Shahzad 1/62)
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