Pat Cummins’ Impressive 10-Wicket Haul Secures Australia’s Victory Over Pakistan in Second Test, Leading the Series 2-0

In the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australian captain Pat Cummins led his team to a 79-run victory over Pakistan with an outstanding 10-wicket haul. This win secured Australia a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Pakistan, chasing a target of 317, was at a promising 129/3 by tea on the fourth day but was eventually bowled out for 237.

Pakistan’s middle-order batsmen showed resilience, but they failed to build a substantial partnership to cross the finish line. Babar Azam contributed 41 runs before being dismissed by Josh Hazlewood, and Saud Shakeel was later taken down by Mitchell Starc, leaving Pakistan at 162/5.

Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman added 57 runs for the sixth wicket, bringing the required runs to under 100. However, Cummins broke their partnership by dismissing Rizwan for 35. Pakistan’s tail-enders struggled against the Australian bowling, with Cummins and Starc quickly claiming the remaining wickets within 7.2 overs.

For Pakistan, captain Shan Masood was the top scorer with 60, while Agha Salman put up a fighting 50. Mitchell Starc took 4/55 for Australia, complementing Cummins’ 5/49, marking his second five-wicket haul in the match. This achievement also marked Cummins’ second 10-wicket match haul and his 11th five-for in his 57-match career. He reached 250 Test wickets with his third wicket in the second innings, totaling 252.

Australia resumed the day at 187/6, with Alex Carey adding 53 runs before Australia concluded their second innings at 262 runs. Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mir Hamza each claimed four wickets, and Aamer Jamal contributed with 2/74.

The final match of the series is scheduled to start on January 3, 2024, in Sydney.