Australia vs Pakistan Match Highlights & Results

Right then, that is it from this 'West Test' where Australia takes a dominating win and leads 1-0 in the series while Pakistan will need to go back in the drawing board and come up with different tactics for the next Test. Next up is the 'Boxing Day Test' at the MCG. That will begin on 26th December, Tuesday, at 5 am IST (11.30 pm GMT, Previous Day), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Pat Cummins, the victorious skipper of Australia says it is a great start to the summer and he is happy with the result. He also says that the built-up of the team was very chill and relaxing, and for that these results are popping off. He also praised the way David Warner played his innings, continuing that it was important as he helped his team to build up the game and form a lead for his team. He also says that Marsh is everyone's favorite and everybody likes the way he played his part. About Lyon's 500 wickets, he is happy for him too, as he made a comeback from his calf injury. He also noted they are going home for the 'Boxing Day' spending time with their families and returning to their training just after that span of holidays.

Shan Masood, the captain of Pakistan, expresses that they could have scored more swiftly, and 60-70 runs could have made a difference in perhaps maintaining a more substantial lead. Drawing inspiration from the Australian attack, discipline is a key takeaway. Adds that they claimed 15 wickets but need to improve in that area to bowl their opposition out in both innings.. Managing two debutants in a four-seam attack is never easy. He applauds Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad for their impressive debuts and concludes by acknowledging Australia with a promise to come back stronger in the next match.

Mitchell Marsh is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant all-round show. He says it was amazing as it was his first Test match in 6 years and at his home ground as well. He acknowledges the crowd for the extraordinary support. He also says that when he got into batting, the wicket was tricky and they wanted the lead of 400 which they got. Tells that he enjoys batting more but is happy to chip in with the ball whenever needed. Says it was a great feeling to take out Babar Azam.

Nathan Lyon, the Man of the Moment is up for a quick chat. He feels a great sense of accomplishment in reaching 500 Test wickets. He says that he is glad that it was three reds and getting 500 wickets is really special. Adds that they know how well the three quicks are for them but credits Mitchell Marsh and Usman Khawaja for their batting on challenging conditions. Mentions that he loves playing cricket and contributing for the team and he is proud of the national side and their achievements. He jokes about playing till 50 and says that he is only 36 and there is a long time still to go. Says that his family is here and he will celebrate this with them and it is even more special as David Warner also got his hundred as well.

Presentation Time...

An eventful 'Moving Day' concluded with Australia firmly in control, leading by 300 runs against Pakistan. Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith weathered a challenging period from Pakistani pacers, aiming to extend their lead to a substantial target. Australia's Pat Cummins s made an early breakthrough, removing the nightwatchman, but Pakistan built a partnership. Mitchell Marsh's entry proved crucial, dismissing Babar Azam and energizing Australia before Lunch. Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh took five wickets, with Starc claiming three. Nathan Lyon approached his 500th Test wicket. Australia struggled, facing a different Pakistan attack in the second innings, scoring their lowest 10-over total in 30 years. Despite David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne's early setbacks, Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja steered Australia out of trouble, remaining unbeaten at stumps. Pakistan, solid in the first session, lost momentum as Marsh and Starc made key breakthroughs. While Agha Salman and Saud Shakeel contributed, they fell short of avoiding the follow-on total. Pakistan's bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi and Khurram Shahzad, secured early wickets, keeping the pressure on Australia, who did not entirely run away with the game despite their commanding lead. However, things turned completely in favour of the Aussies on Day 4 as they registered a huge win over the Men in Green.

Pakistan delivered a solid performance on Day 2, highlighted by Aamer Jamal's impressive six-wicket haul on debut. While Australia aimed for more wickets, they still led by 355 runs and aimed to dominate on Day 3. Pakistan's pacers initially struggled, but debutant Jamal and others staged a fight back, bowling Australia out for just under 500. Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique resisted well until Shafique's dismissal in the third session. Captain Shan Masood played aggressively but fell before Stumps. Imam ended unbeaten, and Khurram Shahzad, the 'nightwatchman,' survived. Australia, content with their total, lost momentum after Lunch. Despite the pacers' accuracy, they struggled to break partnerships until Nathan Lyon provided a breakthrough. Mitchell Starc removed the opposition skipper late in the day, and Australia looked to capitalize on Day 3.

A stellar Day 1 for the Australian cricket team concluded with a standout performance by David Warner, whose dynamic century propelled him into the top 5 leading run-scorers for Australia in Test cricket. The Aussies concluded the day with 346 runs on the board, with half their side yet to bat. Despite a strong start, Pakistan managed to regain control in the later sessions, with Shaheen Afridi making early breakthroughs. The Australian openers, Warner and Usman Khawaja, aggressively justified the decision to bat first, with Warner's quick fifty setting a commanding tone. Pakistan's pacers struggled initially, but Afridi and Faheem Ashraf found success, while Khurram Shahzad claimed his first Test wicket by dismissing Steven Smith. Warner's century, accompanied by contributions from Smith and Travis Head, marked the day, but he eventually fell to Aamer Jamal. Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey held firm, and Australia aimed to build on their already substantial total on Day 2.

Australia came into Day 4 in a commanding position with a lead of 300 runs. They lost Steven Smith and Travis Head in the first session but Mitchell Marsh and Usman Khawaja negotiated the Pakistani pacers well and added quick runs towards the end of the session and took the lead over 400 runs before Lunch. They batted aggressively in the second session as Khawaja was looking for his century but missed out as he got dismissed on 90, forcing Pat Cummins to declare the innings with Marsh remaining unbeaten on 63. They knew that the conditions would suit them well and that is exactly what happened as they absolutely ran through the Pakistan batting order. Mitchell Starc set the tone with two early wickets and ended with three while Josh Hazlewood got three as well. Pat Cummins bowled a hostile spell to Babar Azam and got the reward while Nathan Lyon also got his 500th and 501st Test wickets. Nothing really to talk about the visitors as it was a sorry-looking scorecard as they were bowled out for just 89 losing this game by 360 runs.

A statement win for Australia in this West Test! They start their home season just like the way they would have wanted, with a resounding win. It may not have been the 'Gabba like usual, to start a home summer, but they were looking indomitable right from Day 1. It all started with a smashing hundred from the 'Bull', David Warner and ended with Nathan Lyon creating history by picking his 500th Test wicket. In between all this, the local boy, Mitchell Marsh was exceptional as well with both bat and ball which has helped them to take an early lead in the series. Pakistan showed good fight in patches but will need to do a lot more to challenge the hosts in this series.

Josh Hazlewood to Khurram Shahzad, OUT! c David Warner b Josh Hazlewood.OUT! EDGED AND GONE! That is it! Josh Hazlewood lands this back of a length and around middle, Khurram Shahzad backs away to play at it away from his body but gets a thick outside edge towards first slip where David Warner pouches it safely. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 360 RUNS!

Khurram Shahzad  is the last man in for the visitors.

Josh Hazlewood to Saud Shakeel, OUT! lbw b Josh Hazlewood.OUT! LBW! Josh Hazlewood strikes now! Australia inches closer to the win now! This is fuller in length and around middle, angles in and keeps low again, Saud Shakeel looks to work it away but misses due to the lack of bounce and gets hit on the pads. There is an appeal for LBW, and up goes the finger. Shakeel takes the review but Snicko and Ball Tracking goes in favour of the Aussies!

Nathan Lyon to Shaheen Afridi, No run.Flatter now, on off, Shaheen Afridi plants his front foot and dabs the ball towards the point region for no runs.

Nathan Lyon to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.Over the wicket and bowls flatter and fuller on the leg stump line, Saud Shakeel lunges ahead works it towards mid-wicket for an easy single.

Nathan Lyon to Saud Shakeel, No run.Short delivery, pitching on leg, drifting towards middle. Saud Shakeel camps back and rests the ball towards his off side.

Nathan Lyon to Shaheen Afridi, 1 run.Bowls way outside off and short, Shaheen Afridi guides the ball to short third and sprints a quick single.

Nathan Lyon to Shaheen Afridi, No run.Fuller delivery, outside off. Shaheen Afridi stays in his stance and does nothing to the ball.

Nathan Lyon to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.Drops it on a dragged length around off, Saud Shakeel steers it to square leg off the back foot and takes a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Shaheen Afridi, No run.Short one once again, on middle and leg. Shaheen Afridi says back in his crease and blocks the ball down the ground.

Josh Hazlewood to Shaheen Afridi, No run.Shorter again, angling into the left-hander. Shaheen Afridi gets on the toes and fends it underneath the bat.

Josh Hazlewood to Shaheen Afridi, No run.Beaten! Short ball again on off. Shaheen Afridi opens his body to pull it to his leg side. But gets beaten on. the outer edge of the batter.

Josh Hazlewood to Shaheen Afridi, No run.Bangs in sharp and shorter on the deck, outside off stump line, Shaheen Afridi ducks it and lets it go through to the keeper.

Josh Hazlewood to Shaheen Afridi, 2 runs.IN THE AIR... BUT SAFE! Josh Hazlewood fires a sharp short delivery, on off. Shaheen Afridi attempts to hook it but gets an outer edge. The ball rises up in the air to the deep cover-point region but lands in no man's land. Shaheen Afridi is safe for now and gets two runs.

Josh Hazlewood to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.A tad fuller length from around the wicket, outside off, Saud Shakeel leans forward and defends it solidly.

Nathan Lyon to Shaheen Afridi, No run.Tossed up, fuller down the leg. Shaheen Afridi blocks the ball to the left of the bowler.

Shaheen Afridi comes out to the middle now.

Nathan Lyon to Aamer Jamal, OUT! b Nathan Lyon.OUT! CASTLED! Nathan Lyon gets number 501 as well! He bowls this flatter, full and on off, this one keeps really low and turns in, Aamer Jamal strides out to block but cannot do anything as the ball sneaks past the outside edge and rattles the stumps. Australia two wickets away from the win now!

Nathan Lyon to Aamer Jamal, No run.Fullish delivery just outside off. Aamer Jamal plants his front foot and defends the ball back to the bowler.

Nathan Lyon to Aamer Jamal, 4 Byes.FOUR BYES! That is a peach of a ball from Nathan Lyon! Drops an off-break, outside off, Aamer Jamal takes a huge stride forward and goes for a drive, but gets beaten by the sharp turn into him as it clips the inside edge of his blade, beats the keeper and trickles down the carpet for a boundary. Saved by a few inches there!

Nathan Lyon to Aamer Jamal, No run.Fuller length, on middle and leg. Aamer Jamal prods forward and tucks the ball to mid-wicket region for no runs.

Aamer Jamal comes out in the middle at No. 9.

Nathan Lyon to Faheem Ashraf, OUT! lbw b Nathan Lyon.OUT! LBW! NUMBER 500 FOR LYON! He creates history and this is a fantastic review from the Aussies. This is tossed up, full and on middle, goes with the arm, Faheem Ashraf lunges to block but plays down the wrong line and gets hit on the pads. This looks really close and there is a huge shout for it, but the umpire remains unmoved. Pat Cummins has a chat with Lyon and takes the review just in time. Snicko shows no bat involved and Ball Tracking indicates three reds. Lyon has been a long and consistent servant for the Aussies and he thoroughly deserves this moment.

Josh Hazlewood to Saud Shakeel, No run.Back of a length on off, Saud Shakeel camps back and dabs it underneath the bat.

Josh Hazlewood to Saud Shakeel, No run.Drifts down the leg side on a tad fuller length, Saud Shakeel lets it go through to the keeper.

Josh Hazlewood to Saud Shakeel, No run.Bowls on a hard length, targeting the stumps, Saud Shakeel stays tall and blocks it off the back foot to the off side.

Josh Hazlewood to Saud Shakeel, No run.Again from around the wicket, bowls shorter and around off, angling into the batter, Saud Shakeel rocks back and punches it solidly back to the bowler.

Josh Hazlewood to Saud Shakeel, No run.Back of a length ball on off, Saud Shakeel resolutely hangs back and taps it back to the bowler off the back foot.

Josh Hazlewood to Saud Shakeel, No run.Sprints from around the wicket and pitches around off on a back of a length, Saud Shakeel defends it off the back foot.

Nathan Lyon to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Fires this one short and on middle, Faheem Ashraf stays back to keep it out but chops it down onto the pitch.

Nathan Lyon to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Flighted, full and on middle, Faheem Ashraf defends it on the front foot.

Nathan Lyon to Faheem Ashraf, 2 runs.In the air..safe! This is quicker, full and on leg, Faheem Ashraf clips it off the inner half of the bat as the ball goes off the pads and past leg slip. Two runs taken.

Nathan Lyon to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Tossed up, full and on middle, Faheem Ashraf blocks it out.

Nathan Lyon to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Flatter, full and on off, Faheem Ashraf steers it towards short third man.

Nathan Lyon to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Is that number 500 for Lyon? A huge appeal for caught-behind, but turned down. However, Pat Cummins decides to take the review. This is floated, full and on off, turns away sharply, Faheem Ashraf prods forward to block but just gets beaten on the outside edge as Alex Carey pouches it. Hotspot and Snicko confirm that there is no bat involved. Australia lose a review and Lyon will have to wait a bit longer.

Mitchell Starc to Saud Shakeel, No run.Back of a length but down the leg side, Saud Shakeel leaves it alone.

Mitchell Starc to Saud Shakeel, No run.Mitchell Starc bangs in another sharp bouncer, on middle, Saud Shakeel ducks underneath it.

Mitchell Starc to Faheem Ashraf, Bye.Another bouncer, on middle, Faheem Ashraf ducks under it as the ball bounces just in front of Alex Carey who gets a glove but parries it behind. A bye is taken.

Mitchell Starc to Faheem Ashraf, No run.This is on a hard length and on middle, Faheem Ashraf goes for the pull but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls to the off side.

Mitchell Starc to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Short of a length and outside off, shaping away, Faheem Ashraf sways away from it.

Mitchell Starc to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Back of a length and around off, keeps a bit low, Faheem Ashraf goes for the pull but it goes under his bat to the keeper.

Nathan Lyon to Saud Shakeel, Four!FOUR! Nice shot! Nathan Lyon drags his length back and outside off, Saud Shakeel rocks back and uses the pace to cut it away through backward point for a boundary.

Nathan Lyon to Saud Shakeel, No run.Darts this one full and outside off, Saud Shakeel offers no shot at it.

Nathan Lyon to Saud Shakeel, No run.Quicker, full and on middle, Saud Shakeel taps it towards point.

Nathan Lyon to Faheem Ashraf, Leg bye.Flatter, full and on leg, angling in, Faheem Ashraf looks to work it away but it goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye is taken.

Nathan Lyon to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Floated, full and on middle, Faheem Ashraf dead-bats it down the pitch.

Nathan Lyon to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Tossed up, full and around off, turns away, Faheem Ashraf leaves it alone.

Mitchell Starc to Saud Shakeel, Four!FOUR! Good shot! Mitchell Starc serves this full but on the pads, Saud Shakeel picks it up nicely and flicks with nice timing towards the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to Faheem Ashraf, 1 run.Short of a length and on middle, Faheem Ashraf pulls it wide of short mid-wicket where Pat Cummins dives to his right to make a fine stop. They cross.

Mitchell Starc to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Pitched up again and on middle, Faheem Ashraf drills it towards Starc.

Mitchell Starc to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.Back of a length and on off, Saud Shakeel punches it wide of covers for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Saud Shakeel, No run.On a length and on middle, Saud Shakeel keeps it out solidly again.

Mitchell Starc to Saud Shakeel, No run.Fuller one and on middle, Saud Shakeel blocks it down the pitch.

Pat Cummins to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Back of a length and on off, Faheem Ashraf pulls it straight to square leg.

Pat Cummins to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Goes fuller and on middle, Faheem Ashraf knocks it back to the bowler.

Pat Cummins to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Pat Cummins bangs in a bouncer now, on middle, Faheem Ashraf ducks under it.

Pat Cummins to Faheem Ashraf, 2 runs.Short of a length and on middle, Faheem Ashraf pulls it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Pat Cummins to Faheem Ashraf, No run.Back of a length and around off, Faheem Ashraf looks to play at it but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Pat Cummins to Faheem Ashraf, No run.On a length and on off, Faheem Ashraf blocks it out.

Mitchell Starc to Saud Shakeel, OUT! run out (Travis Head / Marnus Labuschagne).OUT! RUN OUT! A huge mix-up in the middle and Pakistan have lost another. Mitchell Starc bangs this short and around leg, Saud Shakeel goes for the pull but gets cramped up and mistimes it wide of backward square leg, Salman sets off for the run is already halfway own the pitch, Shakeel takes a few steps but then sends his partner back, Travis Head picks up and throws it at the bowler's end where Marnus Labuschagne does the rest with Salman well short of his crease. Pakistan six down now! Also, Faheem Ashraf comes out to the middle now.

Is that out? This was bound to happen as Saud Shakeel's calling has been very poor so far. He got into a couple of mix-ups with Babar Azam earlier and now Agha Salman has lost his wicket due to that.

Mitchell Starc to Agha Salman, 1 run.Back of a length and on middle, Agha Salman pats it wide of short mid-wicket for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Agha Salman, 2 runs.Short of a length and outside off, Agha Salman waits for it and cuts it wide of point for another couple of runs.

Mitchell Starc to Agha Salman, 2 runs.Pitched up and around off, Agha Salman drives it through covers for a brace.

Mitchell Starc to Agha Salman, No run.Sharp bowling! Mitchell Starc lands this on a good length and around off, angling away, Agha Salman looks to block but gets beaten on the outside edge yet again.

Mitchell Starc to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.Tip and run! This is on a hard length and on off, Saud Shakeel taps it in front of short covers for a quick,single.

Pat Cummins to Agha Salman, No run.Goes fuller and outside off, Agha Salman lets it go to the keeper.

Pat Cummins to Agha Salman, No run.That is a peach! Pat Cummins lands this on a good length and just around off, hits the deck and nips away sharply, Agha Salman looks to play at it but gets squared up as the ball zips past the outside edge to the keeper.

Pat Cummins to Agha Salman, No run.Short of a length and on off, Agha Salman taps it to the off side and calls for the run but is sent back.

Mitchell Starc vs Sarfaraz Ahmed in Tests - Dismissals - 5 | Runs - 46 | Average - 9.2.

Pat Cummins to Agha Salman, No run.Back of a length and on off, Agha Salman stabs it towards short covers.

Pat Cummins to Agha Salman, No run.This is on s good length and around off, Agha Salman has a poke at it but misses as the ball goes on the bounce to the keeper.

Pat Cummins replaces Nathan Lyon in the attack.

Pat Cummins to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.Short of a length and on middle, Saud Shakeel hops up and pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Agha Salman, No run.Pulls his length back now, on off, angling away, Agha Salman leaves it alone. A wicket-maiden over then!

Mitchell Starc to Agha Salman, No run.Fullish delivery, outside off, Agha Salman throws his bat at it and miscues his drive to short covers.

Agha Salman is the next man in to bat.

Mitchell Starc to Sarfaraz Ahmed, OUT! c Mitchell Marsh b Mitchell Starc.OUT! TAKEN! Mitchell Starc has three and gets Sarfaraz Ahmed for the second time in this Test. Starc sets up the batter well here and hits the hard length this time, on middle, nips away a shy bit with extra bounce, Sarfaraz Ahmed stays back to keep it out but gets undone by the extra bounce as the ball flies off the splice of the bat towards gully where Mitchell Marsh takes a comfortable catch. Pakistan lose half their side now!

Mitchell Starc to Sarfaraz Ahmed, No run.BEATEN! Mitchell Starc pitches this one up on the sixth stump line, angles away again Sarfaraz Ahmed looks to push at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Mitchell Starc to Sarfaraz Ahmed, No run.Mitchell Starc bowls this full again and around off, angling away, Sarfaraz Ahmed plays inside the line of it as the ball goes through the keeper.

Mitchell Starc to Sarfaraz Ahmed, No run.Mitchell Starc begins with a very full delivery around off, Sarfaraz Ahmed jams it out towards cover-point.

Nathan Lyon to Saud Shakeel, No run.Pushed through quicker, full and on middle, angling in, Saud Shakeel tries to defend but misses to get hit on the pads. There is a stifled appeal for LBW, but turned down.

Nathan Lyon to Saud Shakeel, No run.Quicker, full and on off, Saud Shakeel taps it to silly point.

Nathan Lyon to Saud Shakeel, No run.Flatter, full and on middle, Saud Shakeel tucks it towards short mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Saud Shakeel, No run.Flighted, full and on off, Saud Shakeel steers it towards point.

Nathan Lyon to Sarfaraz Ahmed, 3 runs.Tossed up, full and around off, Sarfaraz Ahmed uses his feet and drills it through covers for three runs.

Nathan Lyon to Sarfaraz Ahmed, No run.Nathan Lyon starts with a floated delivery, full and on middle, turns in, Sarfaraz Ahmed looks to defend with stride but misses and gets hit on his wrists.

We are back for the final session! Sarfaraz Ahmed and Saud Shakeel walk out in the middle to steady the turbulent Pakistani ship. The Aussies eye for quick dismissals as Nathan Lyon is all set to bowl the first over after Tea break.

... DAY 4, SESSION 3 ...