In the first Test at Perth on Saturday, Pakistan found themselves bowled out for 271 just before tea, trailing Australia by 216 runs. Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, with figures of 3-66, moved within one wicket of the 500-mark milestone, placing him in esteemed company alongside only seven other players.
Starting the day at 132-2 in pursuit of Australia’s first-innings total of 487, Pakistan couldn’t withstand the top-class Australian bowling attack. Opener Imam-ul-Haq, resuming on 38, and debutant nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad (seven) tried to stabilize after skipper Shan Masood’s dismissal on Friday.
However, Shahzad’s debut was short-lived, lasting only two balls before Pat Cummins dismantled his stumps with a full, straight delivery. Babar Azam, the dangerman, joined Haq at the crease and cautiously notched up 21 runs, but fell victim to Mitchell Marsh, edging one to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
This triggered a mini-collapse, with Haq departing for 62, getting stumped by Lyon after charging down the wicket. Sarfaraz Ahmed (3) fell to Mitchell Starc’s swinging delivery, and Australia, taking the new ball, continued to dominate. Josh Hazlewood’s quality bouncer saw Saud Shakeel depart for 28, while Faheem Ashraf (9) was caught by Usman Khawaja at square leg off Cummins.
Lyon returned to claim his 499th wicket, with another stumping by Carey dismissing Aamer Jamal. Travis Head’s part-time spin then accounted for Shaheen Shah Afridi. With this performance, Australia maintained their stronghold, and Pakistan, aiming for their first Test win in Australia since 1995, faced an uphill task.
