On the second day of the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon propelled Australia into a commanding position, leaving Pakistan struggling at 194-6, trailing by 124 runs.
At the end of the day, Mohammad Rizwan was on 29, and Aamer Jamal was not out on two. Cummins played a pivotal role, dismissing Abdullah Shafique (62), Babar Azam (one), and Agha Salman (five).
Lyon contributed by taking wickets of Imam-ul-Haq (10) and Shan Masood (54), while Josh Hazlewood bowled Saud Shakeel for nine. The morning session saw Pakistan claiming seven wickets, limiting Australia to 318.
Aamer Jamal led Pakistan’s charge with figures of 3-64 as Australia resumed at 187-3, with Marnus Labuschagne top-scoring with 63. Despite a positive start from Pakistan’s openers, Lyon, who recently achieved his 500th wicket in Perth, earned his reward by dismissing Imam-ul-Haq.
Pakistan increased the run rate after tea, with Masood hitting Lyon for six, and Shafique reaching his first Test 50 in Australia. However, Cummins broke their 90-run partnership with a sharp catch off his bowling to dismiss Shafique. Cummins then clean bowled the dangerous Azam, while Lyon claimed his second wicket as Masood miscued.
Hazlewood removed Shakeel, and Cummins returned to dismiss Salman, caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Labuschagne, a stalwart on day one, resumed on 44 off 120 balls, partnering with Travis Head. Despite Head’s early aggression, he fell for 17 to Shaheen Shah Afridi. Labuschagne stayed in the crease to reach his 17th Test half-century.
Marsh survived two close decisions but fell to Jamal, edging to Shafique. Pakistan capitalized with the new ball, dismissing Carey and Starc. Marsh eventually holed out to Jamal off Mir Hamza on 41, and Australia’s tail folded.
Australia had won the first Test in Perth by 360 runs in the three-match series.
