As the year drew to a close, Australia celebrated triumph over Pakistan with a convincing 79-run victory in the iconic Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This victory placed Australia in a dominant position, claiming an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Australian Captain Pat Cummins delivered a remarkable second 10-wicket match haul, demonstrating leadership and skill that solidified his team’s crushing performance.
The morning of Day 4, December 29, saw the hosts extend their overnight score from 187 to a target of 317, thanks to Alex Carey’s determined fifty. His vital contribution, along with the dismissal of Pakistan’s top-order batsmen for meager scores, began tilting the scales heavily in Australia’s favor.
Despite the early setback, Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, and former captain, Babar Azam, mounted a resistance, temporarily unsettling the Australian bowlers. Their hour-long partnership showed promise, marked by Shan’s aggressive play and Babar’s newfound confidence at the crease. However, their effort was short-lived, as Josh Hazlewood’s precision proved too much for Babar, who departed after making 41.
Shan continued with determination, crafting a rapid 71-ball 60 before being dismissed. Both leaders provided starts but the situation demanded a centurion to truly challenge Australia’s soaring lead. Pakistan’s middle order, featuring Agha Salman and Mohammad Rizwan, forged a critical 57-run stand lowering the deficit under 100, spurring hope among the visitors’ camp.
The air was thick with anticipation as the final act unfolded, but the script took a twist when Cummins’ delivery grazed Rizwan’s wristband before being caught behind the stumps. Upon review, the third umpire concluded the wristband was part of the glove, leading to a controversial overturning of the on-field decision. Dismay was evident in Rizwan’s expression as he walked back, a vital wicket lost in contentious fashion. Salman did achieve a fighting fifty, yet it wasn’t sufficient to stave off the inevitable.
One wicket followed another, and Pakistan’s innings crumbled from a promising 219/5 to a disappointing 237 all out. Cummins emerged as the wrecker-in-chief, his 5/49 in the second innings complementing his 5/48 from the first. Another standout performer for Australia was Mitchell Marsh, whose 96 in the second innings proved pivotal, especially after being granted a reprieve from a dropped catch early in his innings.
Looking at the visitors, Shan’s commitment was evident, as he scored fifties in both innings of the match. In the aftermath, he ruefully reflected on the missed opportunities that could have changed the game’s outcome.
As the series moves to Sydney for the final Test, Pakistan is faced with the challenge of evading a clean sweep while dealing with a drop to fifth place in the World Test Championship points tally. Contrastingly, Australia’s commanding win lifted them to join New Zealand and Bangladesh in joint second place, enhancing their reputation and standing in the championship.
This latest encounter between the cricketing giants was not only a test of skill but also of mental tenacity. With the series victory, Australia ends the year on a high note, while Pakistan must regroup and prepare to salvage pride in the upcoming Sydney Test. As the cricketing world reflects on a year of compelling Test cricket, the story of this series will undoubtedly be etched as a testament to Australia’s resilience and strategic acumen under the adept leadership of Cummins.
