Pakistan vs Australia Tests Archives

Smith’s dismissal opens way for Pakistan’s comeback against Australia

MELBOURNE: Experienced batter Steve Smith fell in the dying minutes of Day 3 of the ongoing second Test to glimmer a ray of hope for Pakistan but Mitchell Marsh’s 96-run knock kept Australia in command.

Australia had amassed 187/6 in their second innings when Steve Smith’s dismissal off Shaheen Shah Afridi resulted in the umpires to call it a day.

The home side have acquired a massive 241-run lead over Pakistan and will be eyeing to stretch it further when wicketkeeper batter Alex Carey, unbeaten on 16, resumes Australia’s second innings on Day 4 with Mitchell Starc.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan resumed their innings at 194-6 with Mohammad Rizwan (29) and Aamir Jamal (2) on the crease.

The pair could add 21 runs to their overnight partnership as Pakistan’s batting mainstay Mohammad Rizwan fell victim to Pat Cummins in the eighth over of the day.

He scored an important 42 in 51 deliveries with the help of one boundary and a six.

Aamir Jamal was then joined by Shaheen Afridi at the crease and the duo stitched a vital 25-run partnership, majorly dominated by the latter.

Shaheen scored a brisk 21 off 28 balls and hit four boundaries before Nathan Lyon put an end to his enthralling cameo by trapping him lbw.

Jamal then put together brief partnerships with Hasan Ali (2) and Mir Hamza (2) as Pakistan’s first innings yielded 264 runs in response to Australia’s 318.

He remained unbeaten on 33 off 80 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and a six.

Pat Cummins led the bowling charge for Australia with a five-wicket haul, followed by Nathan Lyon, who picked four.

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Despite a crucial 54-run lead in their arsenal, Australia failed to inflict their dominance over Pakistan and instead got off to a disastrous start to their second innings.

Shaheen Afridi opened the floodgates for Australia with a first-over wicket as he got Usman Khawaja (0) caught behind on the second delivery.

The ace pacer struck again in his next over and got rid of Marnus Labuschagne (4) to dent Australia’s start further.

Mir Hamza soon followed the footsteps of his fellow pacer and he too, struck in quick succession to leave Australia reeling at 16/4.

He castled David Warner (6) and Travis Head (0) on consecutive deliveries when Australia had a narrow 70-run lead.

Smith was then joined by Mitchell Marsh and the pair got Australia going with a massive 154-run partnership which got a lifeline from Abdullah Shafique.

Australia were 46/4 when Aamir Jamal produced a thick edge off Marsh’s bat that went straight to Shafique at the first slip but was put down.

Pakistan had to wait around 35 overs to get a breakthrough as Mir Hamza got Marsh caught in the slips in the 90s.

He remained the top-scorer for Australia with 96 in 130 balls, laced up with 13 boundaries.

Steve Smith shared a brief 18-run partnership with Alex Carey before a sharp-rising delivery by Shaheen Afridi outclassed him soon after his half-century.

He scored 50 in 176 deliveries with the help of three boundaries.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi and Mir Hamza picked three wickets each.

READ: Pat Cummins reveals the tactics behind Babar Azam’s dismissal

Abrar Ahmed ‘not ready’ for second Test against Australia

MELBOURNE: Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed will not be available for Pakistan’s second Test of the three-match series against Australia, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared Saturday.

According to the PCB, Abrar Ahmed’s symptoms have significantly improved but the mystery spinner did not fully recover and thus will not be considered for selection for the Boxing Day Test against Australia.

“Abrar Ahmed’s symptoms have significantly improved, and he has started bowling at 50 per cent intensity. Although he has worked really well since his diagnosis in Canberra, he still is not 100 per cent asymptomatic,” stated PCB.

“Considering the nature of the injury and the workload required from a spinner in a Test match, Abrar is not yet ready and will therefore not be available for the second Test.

“He will undergo a preliminary fitness test on 25 December, which will determine his probable return-to-play date.”

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Notably, Abrar Ahmed complained of discomfort in his right leg after bowling eight overs on the third day of a four-day game against Prime Minister’s XI.

Consequently, the 25-year-old spinner was taken off the field and was then sent for an MRI scan.

Sajid Khan was then added to the Pakistan squad for the Australia Tests to provide a cover for the injured mystery spinner.

For the unversed, Abrar was the first Pakistan player to suffer an injury on the Australian shores while Khurram Shahzad and Noman Ali became the latest victims.

Both Khurram and Noman have been ruled out of the entirety of the series while Abrar is still in race to attain complete fitness before the third Test.

Pakistan Test squad

Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sajid Khan.

READ: Mohammad Nawaz replaces Noman Ali for Australia Tests

Pakistan squad kicks off training for Boxing Day Test against Australia

MELBOURNE: The 17-member Pakistan squad partook in the full-fledged training session here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) ahead of their must-win Boxing Day Test against Australia.

According to the details, all members of the Pakistan squad except for the injured pacer Khurram Shahzad engaged in a lengthy practice session.

The national players participated in several fielding drills and carried out robust batting and bowling sessions.

Some of the members of the Pakistan squad also interacted with the fans on the sidelines of the training session, signed autographs and took selfies with them.

Prepping for the second game of the series 🏏#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/Sp2zwlcvDB

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 21, 2023

The Greenshirts will then play a two-day practice match against Victoria XI on December 22 and 23.

After the game against Victoria XI, the Pakistan team will take a day to rest before resuming their training at the MCG on December 25.

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Meanwhile, the Australia team will report to Melbourne on December 23 and partake in the training session for two days before kicking off the Boxing Day Test on December 26.

Australia also made a tweak to their squad for the second Test match against Pakistan as right-arm pacer Lance Morris has been omitted from Australia’s squad.

His omission was the only tweak made by the Australian selectors, trimming the 14-player squad they had in Perth to 13 for Melbourne.

Notably, Australia’s first-choice pacers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood did well in the first Test against Pakistan as they troubled the visitors’ batting unit, which led them to a thumping 360-run victory.

Their impressive performance in the Perth Test also indicates the possibility that skipper Cummins will opt for the same Playing XI for the second Test.

Australia Test squad

Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner.

Pakistan Test squad

Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sajid Khan.

READ: Usman Khawaja charged for wearing black armband in Perth Test

Junaid Khan expresses concern over Khurram Shahzad

Former cricketer Junaid Khan expressed his concerns over the fitness of young right-arm pacer Khurram Shahzad ahead of Pakistan’s second Test against Australia in Melbourne.

Khurram Shahzad bowled 38 overs, conceded 128 runs and ended up with five wickets in the Perth Test.

Things did not get better for Pakistan following their hammering 360-run defeat in the series opener as the pacer became doubtful for the upcoming fixture.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated that he complained of discomfort in his left side during the game and was sent for an MRI scan after the match.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s former ace pacer Junaid Khan acknowledged Khurram Shahzad’s performance in the Perth Test before highlighting a technical flaw in the latter’s bowling action.

“Everyone is saying that Khurram Shazad bowled outstandingly. No doubt, he bowled well, but, his bio-mechanic is not right,” asserted Junaid.

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The former pacer then highlighted a significant decline in Shahzad’s pace before expressing his concern that the emerging star could get injured if the management makes him play another fixture.

“In the first innings, he was bowling 135 [kph] and in the second 130 [kph]. But, if he plays a Test or two then he might get injured,” he added.

Pakistan, who were at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table with a perfect, record, got another blow to their campaign when the International Cricket Council (ICC) penalized them for maintaining a slow over-rate during the Perth Test.

Pakistan were fined 10 per cent of their match fee and docked two ICC WTC points.

The sanction after a hammering defeat, consequently resulted in them slipping to the second spot with a winning rate of 61.11.

Two-time runners-up India benefitted from Pakistan’s demotion and reached the summit with a winning percentage of 66.67.

Australia squad:

Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner

Pakistan’s squad:

Shan Masood (captain), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Sajid Khan, Abrar Ahmed.

READ: Pakistan suffer injury scare amid Australia Tour

Mohammad Hafeez backs Sarfaraz Ahmed after dismal performance in Perth Test

PERTH: Pakistan’s team director Mohammad Hafeez backed wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed amid criticism following the latter’s dismal performance in the first Test against Australia.

Sarfaraz Ahmed had a forgettable outing in Perth as he scored a total of seven runs in two innings.

However, Hafeez defended the wicketkeeper saying that he was excellent in the last series and has served Pakistan with great performances in past.

“Sarfaraz has given a lot of performances for Pakistan. In the New Zealand series in Pakistan, he was excellent. Unfortunately, this match didn’t go well for Sarfaraz according to our expectations,” Hafeez said in the post-match press conference.

“However, we can’t start thinking something totally different after one match. Sarfaraz isn’t new – he has toured Australia, South Africa, and England before.”

Hafeez stressed the fact that the management cannot drop a player over the performance of just one match.

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“Yes, he didn’t perform up to expectations as a batsman and keeper. But this doesn’t mean that we should start doubting someone’s skill and saying they can only play in certain conditions,” he concluded.

Notably, Australia are currently leading the Test series 1-0 after thumping Pakistan by a huge margin of 360 runs in the first Test match at Perth Stadium.

Australian bowlers bowled the Pakistan team for a meagre 89 runs in the second innings after setting a mammoth target of 450 runs to register a dominant victory.

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was adjudged man-of-the-match for his brilliant performance in both innings with scores of 90 and 63* as well as one wicket in the first innings.

Pakistan and Australia will square off in the second Test match of the three-match Test series at Melbourne Cricket Ground, which is scheduled to start on December 26.

Pakistan Test squad

READ: Nathan Lyon becomes the eighth bowler to take 500 wickets in Test cricket

Pakistan Test squad to reach Melbourne on December 19 for second Test

Pakistan Test squad will reach Melbourne on December 19 to partake in the second Test match of the three-match Test series, which is scheduled to start on December 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground

Pakistan Test squad will participate in the training session on December 21 in Melbourne before playing a two-day practice match against Victoria XI on December 22 and 23.

They will then take a day to rest before resuming their training at the MCG on December 25.

Meanwhile, the Australia team will report to Melbourne on December 23 and partake in the training session for two days before kicking off the Boxing Day Test on December 26.

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Australia are currently leading the Test series 1-0 after thumping Pakistan by a huge margin of 360 runs in the first Test match at Perth Stadium.

Australian bowlers bowled the Pakistan team for a meagre 89 runs in the second innings after setting a mammoth target of 450 runs to register a dominant victory.

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was adjudged man-of-the-match for his brilliant performance in both innings with scores of 90 and 63* as well as one wicket in the first innings.

Pakistan Test squad

READ: Nathan Lyon becomes the eighth bowler to take 500 wickets in Test cricket

Nathan Lyon becomes eighth bowler to take 500 wickets in Test cricket

PERTH: Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has become the eighth bowler to take 500 wickets in Test cricket during the second innings of the first Test against Pakistan at Perth Stadium.

Lyon claimed his 500th wicket by dismissing Faheem Ashraf with the help of DRS after the on-field umpire turned down the LBW appeal.

He picked another wicket in the same over to help his side bundle Pakistan for a meagre 89 runs and register a huge 360-run victory in the first Test of the three-match series.

“It’s something I’m very proud about, I don’t think it’s hit me yet,” said Nathan Lyon after the match.

“There’s obviously been a lot of hard work gone into the journey and I’ve had a lot more bad days than good days, but to be back out there in the middle … it’s pretty special.

“I still pinch myself when I see my name next to those guys,” he said of the exalted company he has joined, including fellow spin kings Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne.

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Nathan Lyon became the third bowler from Australia to achieve the landmark of 500 Test wickets after spin legend Shane Warne (708) and pace bowler Glenn McGrath (563).

However, he is the slowest among his countrymen as he took 123 Test matches, while Warne took 108 and McGrath took 110.

Nathan Lyon is also the fourth spinner across the globe to join the elite 500-wicket club after legends Muthiah Muralidaran, Warne and Anil Kumble.

Notably, Muralidaran is the fastest to claim 500 wickets as he took only 87 Test matches to reach the milestone.

Nathan Lyon made his Test debut in 2011 against Sri Lanka and picked the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara with the first ball of his Test career.

Lyon has taken a total of 501 wickets in Test cricket at an average of 30.85 with 23 five-wicket hauls and four 10-wicket hauls.

READ: Will Young hits century as New Zealand edge Bangladesh in first ODI

Australia bundle Pakistan for 89 to win Perth Test by 360 runs

PERTH: A combined bowling effort saw Australia bundle Pakistan for a meagre 89 runs in the second innings to register a huge 360-run victory in the first Test of the three-match series at Perth Stadium on Sunday.

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was adjudged man-of-the-match for his brilliant performance in both innings with scores of 90 and 63* as well as one wicket in the first innings.

Pakistan set to chase a mammoth 450 runs on the fourth day, started horribly as they lost their top three batters with only 19 runs on the board.

Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel established a brief stand of 29 runs for the fourth wicket, which was the highest partnership in Pakistan’s second innings.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins removed Babar Azam (14) to break the stand.

Pakistan were reeling at 53-4 at the tea break on the fourth day with Saud Shakeel and Sarfaraz Ahmed on the crease.

However, the Australian bowler picked quick wickets after the break to wrap Pakistan’s innings, picking the remaining six wickets with an addition of only 36 runs.

Shakeel top-scored with 24 runs from 51 balls, with the help of four boundaries.

Josh Hazlewood dismissed Shakeel and Khurram Shahzad on back-to-back wickets to seal the victory for his side.

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Hazlewood returned with brilliant bowling figures of 3-13, while Mitchell Starc claimed 3-31. Nathan Lyon picked two wickets and became the eighth bowler in history to pick 500 wickets in Test cricket.

Earlier in the day, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh helped Australia set Pakistan to chase 450 after declaring their second innings at 233-5 on the fourth day.

Australia added 149 runs to their overnight score of 84-2 to set Pakistan a mammoth total in the second session.

Australia resumed their innings with Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja on the crease but lost Smith early after Khurram Shahzad got him out lbw.

Aamer Jamal then dismissed Travis Head to reduce Australia to 107-4, bringing out Mitchell Marsh to bat.

Khawaja and Marsh then knitted a solid 126 run-stand to help Australia reach 233 before Babar Azam caught the former off Shaheen Afridi.

Australia declared the innings with this wicket to set Pakistan to chase a mammoth 450-run target with a session and a day remaining.

Khawaja top-scored with 90 runs from 190 balls with the help of nine boundaries, while Marsh played a quick-fire knock of 63 off 68, laced with eight boundaries and two sixes.

Debutant Khurram Shahzad led the bowling charts for Pakistan with figures of 3-45, while Jamal and Afridi picked one wicket each.

READ: Marnus Labuschagne to undergo scans on injured finger

Smith, Khawaja power Australia to 300-run lead against Pakistan

PERTH: Experienced batters Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja powered Australia to a dominating 300-run lead against Pakistan at the conclusion of Day 3 of the first Test on Saturday.

Australia, after having a disastrous start to their second innings, recovered to 84/2 at the stumps on Day 3 with Smith and Khawaja firm at the crease.

The hosts succumbed to 5/2 in the eighth over when Khurram Shahzad removed David Warner (0) and Marnus Labuschagne (2) in quick succession.

However, Khawaja was then joined by Smith and they batted sensibly to anchor the home side.

Pakistan resumed their first innings at 132/2 with Imam-ul-Haq and nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad at the crease.

It took just three deliveries for Australian captain Pat Cummins to get rid of Shahzad, who could score a mere three.

Imam was then joined by Babar Azam and they put together a brief partnership for the fourth wicket.

They added an important 48 runs before Mitchell Marsh claimed the prized scalp of Babar. The star batter could score 21 in 54 deliveries with the help of two boundaries.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s mainstay Imam also walked back to the dugout after falling victim to Nathan Lyon.

He remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a cautious 62. His 199-ball knock featured six boundaries.

Pakistan then further slipped to 195/6 when Mitchell Starc outclassed wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed (3) with a sensational in-swinger.

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All-rounder Salman Ali Agha then joined Saud Shakeel in the middle and they offered a brief retaliation against a ruthless Australian bowling attack.

They stitched a 35-run partnership and took Pakistan past the 200-run mark but could not stretch their stand as Josh Hazlewood got rid of Saud, who scored 28.

Agha then put on brief partnerships with Faheem Ashraf (9), Aamir Jamal (10) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (4) before Australia booked Pakistan on 271.

He remained stranded at the crease with an unbeaten 28 in 76 deliveries, laced with four boundaries.

For Australia, Nathan Lyon picked up three wickets while Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins bagged two each.

Marsh and Travis Head, on the other hand, had a wicket apiece to their names.

Attaining a massive lead of more than 200 runs, Australian captain Cummins decided against enforcing the follow-on on Pakistan.

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