Lower-order batsman Mitchell Starc scored a valiant 84 with bat and took three wickets on day five of Boxing Day Tests to help Australia beat Pakistan by an innings and 18 runs in Melbourne. The win also sealed the series 2-0 for hosts, with one match to go in Sydney, starting January 2, 2017.
Australia, who started day five with an ambition to take an unassailable lead in the series, took the charge on the Pakistani bowlers from the outset. Steven Smith, who had a terrific year with the bat continued to pile on runs and do good to his Tests average. But it wasn’t him who was making the crowd go crazy, it was his partner on the other side of the crease, Mitchell Starc.
The left-handed batsman cut loose and set the MCG on fire with some blistering hits. He during his stint on crease whacked eight massive sixes, not sparing even the claimed best spinner in world by Shane Wane, Yasir Shah. His innings was finally cut-short by Sohail Khan on 84 after he served punishment for bowling a lame line and length to the pair early on.
Steve Smith, after completing his 150 in due course couldn’t add more runs on the scorecard as Sohail Khan and Yasir Shah wrapped up two wickets in quick time, resulting the hosts to declare on their highest total at MCG, 624 for eight.
In reply, Pakistan lost two wickets under ten runs. Much hyped Babar Azam couldn’t bother the Aussies with his lukewarm form as he went back after a single digit score six. Veterans Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq were sent packing soon too as Pakistan was reduced to 63 for four in 20 overs.
First innings double centurion Azhar Ali and Brisbane match hero Asad Shafiq then tried to anchor their side to a safe position but failed eventually. A blinder from Peter Handscomb at short-leg sent Asad Shafiq packing for 16. Nathan Lyon, who faced severe criticism for his dry run in the first innings, bagged three wickets to get Australia back on the track of a famous win.
What a catch! The GOAT is on fire. Australia five wickets away! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/bwrzaq3XmK
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 30, 2016
Australia was then just five wickets away from scripting one of the best Boxing Day wins at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Azhar Ali on 43 was shown the door by Josh Hazlewood, who trapped him in-front of the stumps. With just tail to toil with, Mitchell Starc spilt his magic, scalping Wahab Riaz and Sarfraz Ahmed before completing his four-wicket by dismissing last batsman Yasir Shah.
Steven Smith for scoring his magnificent 165* was awarded as the Man-of-the-Match while for Pakistan.
Meanwhile, captain Misbah-ul-Haq has dropped a hint of retirement after an embarrassing loss in Melbourne.