Australia Dominates Perth Test, Takes Commanding 216-Run Lead Over Pakistan
Australia bowled exceptionally well, taking control with a 216-run lead over Pakistan in the Perth Test. Pakistan struggled, losing key wickets in the morning, and couldn’t recover after lunch on the third day, finishing their innings at 271.
Saud Shakeel began the session by hitting a four off the first ball from Nathan Lyon, who made a mistake in the length of his delivery. As anticipated, Australia switched to the new ball in the 82nd over, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood trying to take wickets. Starc, however, was inconsistent, allowing Pakistan to score 13 runs in just two legal deliveries, benefiting Shakeel. This led Pat Cummins to bring himself into the attack, and the change proved effective.
Hazlewood surprised Shakeel with a well-directed bouncer, causing him to top-edge the ball while attempting to defend, and David Warner made the catch. Cummins followed up with a short-pitched delivery that dismissed Faheem Ashraf, adding to Pakistan’s troubles. Nathan Lyon entered the attack, removing Aamer Jamal, while Agha Salman fought a solitary battle for Pakistan.
The final wicket came from an unlikely source as Travis Head tossed one up to tease Shaheen Afridi and the batter fell for the trap by miscuing one in his attempt to slog it. With seven sessions left in the Test match and a huge lead of 216 already in the bag, Australia has opted to bat again and pile more misery on the visitors.
Brief scores
Australia 487 lead Pakistan 271 (Imam-ul-Haq 62, Abdullah Shafique 42; Nathan Lyon 3/66, Pat Cummins 2/35) by 216 runs.
