Australia thrashes Pakistan by 360 runs in the 4th Day itself.

Australia delivered a resounding 360-run victory against Pakistan in the first Test at a challenging Perth pitch, concluding the match within four days. The decisive win was marked by Nathan Lyon achieving the significant milestone of 500 Test wickets on Sunday.

In the final session on Day 4, Pakistan struggled, being bowled out for a mere 89 runs. This defeat marked their 15th consecutive test loss in Australia. The home team had set an imposing target of 450 runs after declaring their second innings at 233-5, just before lunch. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and captain Pat Cummins exploited the treacherous pitch with variable bounce, causing difficulties for Pakistan’s top-order batsmen who faced relentless pace and body blows.

Hazlewood and Starc combined to take six wickets, with Cummins strategically dismissing former Pakistan captain Babar Azam (14) by finding the outside edge of his bat. Pakistan’s batting lineup had no answer to Australia’s quick and skillful bowling.

Nathan Lyon reached the historic milestone of 500 Test wickets when a leg before wicket referral against Faheem Ashraf proved successful. Lyon’s achievement was acknowledged by his teammates and the Perth crowd. He joined the exclusive club of eight players, becoming the third Australian bowler to do so after the late Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. Lyon continued his impressive form by clean bowling Aamer Jamal in the same over, concluding the match with figures of 2-18.

Pakistan’s daunting run-chase began poorly, with the team slumping to 17-3 within the first seven overs. Opener Abdullah Shafique fell to a brilliant Starc delivery, securing Starc’s 200th Test wicket at home. Captain Shan Masood managed only 2 runs before succumbing to Hazlewood, while Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed leg before wicket by Starc.

Earlier in the match, Usman Khawaja fell short of a century, scoring 90 before being caught out. Australia, looking for quick runs after lunch, saw a strong partnership between Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh, who remained unbeaten on 63. The duo added a run-a-ball 126, with Marsh securing his second successive half-century at his home ground. Lyon’s exceptional performance continued as he clean bowled Aamer Jamal in the same over, capping off a memorable test match with figures of 2-18.