Australia Clinches Lead Against Pakistan  

APP

Islamabad: Australia clinched an insurmountable 2-0 lead, securing the Benaud-Qadir Trophy by defeating Pakistan by 79 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday.

Left-arm pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mir Hamza claimed four-wicket hauls each, dismissing Australia for 262 on day four. Pakistan, in response, was bowled out for 237 while chasing a target of 317.

Australia resumed their innings at 187-6, extending their lead to 241. Alex Carey’s half-century (53 runs off 101 balls, including 8 boundaries) propelled his team to 262 before falling to Mir Hamza, who completed a career-best four-wicket haul (four for 32) in Tests.

Shaheen Shah Afridi secured his fourth wicket by dismissing Mitchell Starc. Additionally, Aamir Jamal took two crucial wickets—captain Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon—wrapping up the Australian innings.

During Pakistan’s chase, an early setback occurred as Abdullah Shafique was caught by Usman Khawaja off Starc’s delivery in the fifth over. Despite this, Shan Masood replaced Abdullah and formed a 41-run partnership with Imam-ul-Haq, who was eventually dismissed LBW by Cummins for a 38-ball 12.

Related:https://thepenpk.com/shafiques-determination-tightens-chase-against-australia/

Babar Azam joined Shan, adding 61 runs to the total before Cummins struck again, removing Shan for a hard-fought half-century (60 runs off 71 balls, including 7 boundaries). Notably, Shan became only the third Pakistan captain—following Hanif Mohammad and Imran Khan—to achieve twin half-centuries in a Test in Australia.

Josh Hazlewood secured a crucial wicket by breaching Babar’s defense, sending him back for 41 runs from 79 deliveries (including four boundaries). Saud Shakeel fell to Starc after contributing 24 runs, leaving Pakistan at 162-5 in 46 overs.

Despite Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha’s efforts to rebuild the innings with a 57-run stand, Cummins dismissed Rizwan after a dramatic caught-behind appeal. Rizwan departed for a 62-ball 35, featuring three fours and a six.

Cummins claimed the wickets of Shaheen and Aamir to complete his five-wicket haul, his second in the game. He was rightfully named the player of the match for his ten-wicket haul across both innings.

Salman Ali Agha reached his fifth Test half-century (50 runs off 70 balls, including 6 boundaries) before Mitchell Marsh took a brilliant catch at third man, resulting in the ninth wicket falling on the first ball of the 68th over. Starc dismissed Mir Hamza on the subsequent ball, concluding the match with Pakistan all out for 237.

The final Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy between Pakistan and Australia is scheduled at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, 2024, with the first ball expected at 0430 PKT.