Perth. The condition of Pakistan cricket team is looking bad once again. In the first match of the two-match Test series, the team was restricted to 271 runs after scoring close to 500 runs in the first innings. On the third day of the first Test, Australia increased their overall lead at stumps to 300 runs despite trapping Pakistan early in the first innings without giving Pakistan a follow-on.
Australia scored 84 for the loss of two wickets in the second innings by the end of the day’s play thanks to veteran batsmen Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja. Pakistan team was restricted to 271 runs in the first innings due to which they trailed Australia by 216 runs. But Australia did not follow up and decided to bat in the second innings.
Australia’s fast bowler trio of Mitchell Starc, captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood along with off-spinner Nathan Lyon demolished Pakistan’s first innings. Lyon took three wickets for 66 runs, taking him just one wicket away from 500 Test wickets. Australia scored 487 runs in their first innings. Pakistan started the morning at 132 for two but lost the wicket of night watchman Khurram Shahzad (07) in the first over of Cummins (2 for 35). After this, Babur and Imam ul Haq took charge.
When it looked like Babar and Imam would not allow Australia to make much progress in the first session, Marsh (1 wicket for 34 runs) showed his magic. Babar (21) was caught by the wicketkeeper to break the 48-run partnership with Imam in 17 overs. After this the batting got disrupted and the team collapsed in no time.
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Tags: Babar Azam, Nathan Lyon, Pakistan vs Australia, Pat Cummins
First published: December 16, 2023, 18:31 IST