Despite Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam brilliant knocks, Australia defeated Pakistan by an innings and 5 runs on the fourth day of 1st Test match played at Gabba, Brisbane on Sunday. With this win, Australia have earned 60 points in the ICC Test Championship.
Starting on the overnight score of 64 for 3, it was not an ideal start for Pakistan as Pat Cummins dismissed Shan Masood for 42. Hazlewood struck to get the wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed for 0 to leave Pakistan at 94 for 5. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam played with positive intent taking on Australian bowlers. Babar reached his half-century off 107 balls. At lunch break, Pakistan were 144 for 5.
After the lunch break, Rizwan and Babar played with aggressive intent putting pressure on the Australian bowlers which offered little resistance. Babar survived a close LBW call as the decision was umpire call. Soon after he reached his maiden Test century on Australian soil off 160 balls with a lovely boundary. Mohammad Rizwan made the batting look easy and reached his fifty off 86 balls. Nathan Lyon gave the much-needed breakthrough for Australia dismissing Babar for 104. Babar and Rizwan added 132 runs for the 6th wicket. Yasir Shah came to the crease and looked confident against the Australian bowlers. At tea, Pakistan were 268 for 6.
In the 3rd and final session, Rizwan and Yasir Shah continued to frustrate the Australian bowlers with good stroke play. Before Australia took the 2nd new ball, Hazlewood struck to dismiss Rizwan for a superb 95. Rizwan and Yasir added 79 runs for the 7th wicket. Australia took the 2nd new ball immediately after the 80th over.
Josh Hazlewood got wickets of Yasir Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Mitchell Starc completed the job for Australia dismissing Imran Khan Sr to bowl out Pakistan for 335. It was an impressive performance by the Australian pace trio.
Australia 580 in 157.4 overs ( Labuschagne 185, David Warner 154, Joe Burns 97, Labuschagne , Yasir Shah 4/205, Haris Sohail 2/75 ) beat Pakistan 240 in 86.2 overs ( Asad Shafiq 76, Azhar Ali 39, Mitchell Starc 4/52, Pat Cummins 3/60) and 335 in 84.2 overs ( Babar Azam 104, Mohammad Rizwan 95, Shan Masood 42, Mitchell Starc 3/73, Josh Hazlewood 4/63, ) Australia 580 in 157.4 overs ( Labuschagne 185, David Warner 154, Joe Burns 97, Labuschagne , Yasir Shah 4/205, Haris Sohail 2/75 ) by an innings and 5 runs.
Marnus Labuschagne has been named as the man of the match for his 185. Australia takes a 1-0 lead in the series. The 2nd Test match will be played at Adelaide Oval in a day night Test match from 29th November.
