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Monday, December 23, 2024  
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Cummins leads from front as Australia beat Pakistan by 79 runs to win Test series

Pakistan were all out for 237 while chasing target of 317 in Melbourne Test
Australian bowler Pat Cummins (C) celebrates another wicket against Pakistan. AFP
Australian bowler Pat Cummins (C) celebrates another wicket against Pakistan. AFP
Pakistan captain Shan Masood (L) gestures to his players on the fourth day of the second cricket Test match against Australia. AFP
Pakistan captain Shan Masood (L) gestures to his players on the fourth day of the second cricket Test match against Australia. AFP
Mitchell Starc continued Abdullah Shafique’s difficult couple of days. (@espncricinfo.com)
Mitchell Starc continued Abdullah Shafique’s difficult couple of days. (@espncricinfo.com)

Australia’s dominance over Pakistan continues as the hosts failed visitors bid to secure their first ever win since 1995. The Pat Cummins-led side beat the Shan Masood’s XI by 79 runs on Friday in the second Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Pakistan were all out for 237 while chasing 317 for their first Test win in Australia since 1995, thanks to the brilliant bowling by skipper Pat Cummins. He achieved the feat of 10-wicket haul after grabbing the scalp of pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Masood was the leading run scorer for his side. His predecessor Babar Azam tried to make solid partnership with Saud Shakeel, but did not have the Midas touch to become the match winner for his side. Like first innings, he was bowled in the second innings. But this time the bowler was Josh Hazlewood instead of Cummins.

Mitchell Starc removed opener Abdullah Shafique cheaply Friday as Pakistan stuttered in their chase of an unlikely 317 to win the second Test in Melbourne.

At lunch on day four, they were 25-1 with the deficit down to 292, but Shafique was gone for four, caught by Usman Khawaja in the slips after a period of intense pressure.

Imam-ul-Haq was unbeaten on five at the break while skipper Shan Masood was not out 12, having survived an on-field lbw decision which was overturned on review.

The Pakistanis padded up after the hosts were all out in their second innings for 262, after resuming on 187-6.

Mir Hamza was the best of the bowlers with 4-32, while Shaheen Shah Afridi took 4-76.

Pakistan are targeting a first Test win on Australian soil since 1995, but it will not be easy.

The highest-ever successful run chase in the fourth innings of a Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was 332-7 by England in 1928, with scores over 300 rare.

Alex Carey slammed 53 to help Australia build their overnight lead and quieten chatter about his form after losing his place in the one-day side to Josh Inglis.

He resumed on 16 after Australia had bounced back from 16-4 thanks to an attacking 96 from Mitchell Marsh, who was dropped on 20, and Steve Smith’s gutsy 50.

Carey, who made his first and only Test hundred in Melbourne a year ago, hit consecutive fours in his first over from Hasan Ali to build confidence.

At the other end, Starc lived dangerously and fell for nine with the impressive Afridi getting the breakthrough on a pitch still offering a bit for the bowlers.

Baba Azam took the sharp chance at slip after Starc miscued a drive.

Pat Cummins made a breezy 16 but was caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan off Aamer Jamal, while Nathan Lyon crunched two straight fours off Jamal, then was bowled for 11 three deliveries later.

Carey brought up his sixth Test half-century before being the last man out, lbw to Hamza.

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