Australia thrash Pakistan in second Test to clinch series

Published December 30, 2016
Pakistan's Sami Aslam, centre, is bowled by Australia's Josh Hazlewood on the fifth day of their second cricket Test in Melbourne.— AP
Pakistan's Sami Aslam, centre, is bowled by Australia's Josh Hazlewood on the fifth day of their second cricket Test in Melbourne.— AP

A rampant Australia beat Pakistan by an innings and 18 runs in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to clinch the three-Test series 2-0 on Friday.

The Australians roared to victory in the last two sessions of the final day dismissing the tourists after declaring before lunch at 624 for eight.

Pakistan went into the final session at 91/5 and managed to rack up 163 before the middle-order collapsed with three crucial wickets taken by Aussie bowler Nathan Lyon.

Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (R) attempts to run out batsman Asad Shafiq (C) as teammate David Warner looks on during the final day of the second Test match in Melbourne. ─ AFP
Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (R) attempts to run out batsman Asad Shafiq (C) as teammate David Warner looks on during the final day of the second Test match in Melbourne. ─ AFP

Lyon, whose bowling consistency has been questioned by captain Steve Smith, produced an inspired two wickets in three balls to put Pakistan on the slide and Australia on track for a stunning final day victory.

He coaxed Younis Khan to push forward and be caught by Peter Handscomb centimetres off the ground at short leg for 24 and then dismissed skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to an injudicious sweep for a duck.

Misbah swept outside his off-stump to Nic Maddinson placed at short fine leg for the premeditated shot.

Suddenly both of Pakistan's two experienced batsmen were gone and four wickets down with Australia attacking with their tails up.

Mitchell Starc capped off a big-hitting 84 off 91 balls to take four wickets to help dismiss Pakistan and propel Australia to a final day victory.

Pakistan went into the final session with first innings double-centurion Azhar Ali on 34 and Sarfraz Ahmed on one and still trailing by 90 runs.

Skipper Steve Smith was left unbeaten on 165 when he called a halt to the massive Australian first innings to give his bowlers a minimum of 70 overs to see off the tourists.

But the Australians only needed 53.2 overs to bowl out Pakistan with Starc taking four for 36 and off-spinner Nathan Lyon capturing three for 33.

Australia won the series ahead of Tuesday's final Test in Sydney with Pakistan now having lost their last 11 Tests in Australia.

Opinion

Editorial

Pahalgam aftermath
24 Apr, 2026

Pahalgam aftermath

A YEAR after at least 26 people were killed in a terrorist attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, ties ...
Real estate power
24 Apr, 2026

Real estate power

THE latest round of land valuation revisions by the FBR for tax purposes signifies a familiar pattern that ...
Ad astra
Updated 24 Apr, 2026

Ad astra

AMONG the many developments this month that Pakistanis can take pride in is the news that one of their own will soon...
Ceasefire extension
Updated 23 Apr, 2026

Ceasefire extension

THOUGH the US has extended the Iran ceasefire — thanks largely to effective Pakistani diplomacy to prevent sliding...
Climate & livelihoods
23 Apr, 2026

Climate & livelihoods

THE latest ILO report estimates that around 3.3m jobs may have been affected by the 2025 floods — significantly...
Virtual courts
23 Apr, 2026

Virtual courts

THOUGH routine activities in Islamabad have been greatly hindered amidst security preparations for another round of...