Islamabad, December 29, 2023 – Australia secured a resounding 79-run victory over Pakistan to claim an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Test Series and retain the prestigious Benaud-Qadir Trophy.
The fourth day of the match witnessed left-arm pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mir Hamza showcasing their skills, each claiming a crucial four-wicket haul to dismiss Australia for 262. According to information from the Pakistan Cricket Board, Hamza’s exceptional performance marked a career-best figure of four for 32 in Tests.
Resuming from an overnight score of 187-6, Australia managed to extend their lead to 241, with Alex Carey playing a pivotal role. Carey scored a well-constructed half-century (53, 101b, 8x4s) before falling to Mir Hamza, who completed his four-wicket haul. Shaheen Shah Afridi also shone with the ball, claiming his fourth wicket by dismissing Mitchell Starc. Aamir Jamal contributed with two wickets, dismissing Australian skipper Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon.
Chasing a target of 317, Pakistan faced an early setback as opening batter Abdullah Shafique was caught by Usman Khawaja off Starc’s bowling. Shan Masood, brought in as a replacement, forged a 41-run partnership with Imam-ul-Haq before Cummins dismissed the latter for a 38-ball 12.
Babar Azam and Shan Masood steadied the ship, adding 61 runs to the total. However, Cummins returned to the attack, dismissing Shan for a hard-fought half-century (60, 71b, 7x4s). Shan became only the third Pakistani captain, after Hanif Mohammad and Imran Khan, to achieve twin half-centuries in a Test in Australia.
Josh Hazlewood breached Babar Azam’s defense, sending him back to the pavilion for 41 runs. Pakistan found themselves in trouble at 162 for five when Saud Shakeel was caught behind on Starc’s delivery. Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha attempted to rebuild the innings, adding a crucial 57-run stand.
With Pakistan 99 runs away from the target, Rizwan’s dismissal to Cummins, after a successful review for a caught-behind appeal, tilted the balance in Australia’s favor. Cummins went on to claim two more wickets, completing his five-wicket haul, and was rightly adjudged the Player of the Match for his exceptional performance.
Salman Ali Agha notched up his fifth Test half-century (50, 70b, 6x4s), but Mitchell Marsh’s stunning catch at third man marked the ninth wicket’s fall. Mitchell Starc swiftly removed Mir Hamza on the next ball, concluding the game with Pakistan dismissed for 237.
With this victory, Australia has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Test Series and secured the Benaud-Qadir Trophy. The two teams will now face each other at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, 2024, for the final Test of the series. The first ball is expected to be bowled at 0430 PKT.
