At the MCG, Pat Cummins returned to his lethal best with the ball, preventing Pakistan from enjoying an uncommon day of Test dominance in Australia.
Pakistan lost touch of the match late on day two, trailing 124 for one when the Australian captain reversed the momentum of the Boxing Day Test by dismissing opener Abdullah Shafique (62) and star batsman Babar Azam (1) in the space of two overs.
The rapid dismissals of Shafique and Babar wreaked havoc on Pakistan, which collapsed to 194 for six at stumps, trailing Australia by 124 runs and capping an otherwise auspicious day for the tourists.
On Thursday, Pakistan will reestablish Mohammad Rizwan (29 not out) at the crease and Aamir Jamal (two runs without being dismissed) as fast bowlers.
Pakistan, which secured the points in the first two sessions, must now produce an exceptional performance. This is to prevent a 16th consecutive Test loss in Australia and a 2-0 deficit in the Benaud-Qadir series.
Shafique was dismissed by Cummins (three for 37) following an impressive return catch. Whereas Babar was dismissed by an unsustainable delivery that collided with the seam and ascended the middle stump.
After dismissing Pakistan captain Shan Masood (54), Nathan Lyon (two for 48) established Australia’s preeminent position. He did this by having Masood skie an easy catch to Mitch Marsh.
Australia collapsed to 187 for three at stumps on Tuesday due to three hours of rain, rendering the opening day of the traditional holiday extravaganza forgettable. However, on Wednesday, both teams increased the pressure by losing 13 wickets, and the batters displayed aggression that had been absent on the opening day.
Marsh’s Redemption at MCG Amidst Australia’s Mixed Performance
During the first session, Australia lost seven wickets for 131 and were dismissed for 318 by noon. Marnus Labuschagne scored his fourth fifty in Tests in 2023, but the prized wicket was taken by Jamal (three for 64) for 63, preventing Australia’s No 3 from progressing any further.
Pakistan conceded 52 extras, ranking as the second-largest contributor to Australia’s total. This occurred during a predominantly enhanced pitch performance following their 360-run demolition in Perth.
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Mitchell Marsh, an all-rounder, had previously issued a warning to expel his MCG demons. It is the first Boxing Day Test for the 32-year-old since he was vehemently jeered by the MCG crowd in 2018 for replacing Victorian batsman Peter Handscomb.
The MCG audience applauded Marsh as he batted Wednesday as a token of respect. Marsh was applauded by a boisterous segment of the crowd that chanted “We love bison” late in the day. During his 41-run performance, he withstood two consecutive deliveries from Pakistani pacer Hasan Ali (two for 61).
Marsh proceeded at his leisure to contest the decision of umpire Joel Wilson, who dismissed the Australian LbW. However, much to the batter’s astonishment, a faint inside edge materialised on the hotspot.
Following dispatch Marsh was once more dismissed by Wilson, caught behind, in response to Ali’s frenzied appeal.
However, the Australian this time was certain he had not struck the ball, and the ruling was reversed.
Usman Khawaja (42), Marsh (38), and Warner all started well but did not finish. Labuschagne was the only Australian batter to reach 50.
The new IPL top-priced player became the fourth Australian to reach 2,000 runs and 200 wickets in Tests. This accomplishment follows Richie Benaud, Shane Warne, and Mitchell Johnson, achieved during Mitchell Starc’s brief innings of nine.
