Australia defeats Pakistan in 2nd Test by 79 runs, Captain Pat Cummins picks a 10 wicket haul.

Following their defeat in the first Test in Perth, Pakistan displayed resilience in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, challenging Australia before ultimately succumbing to a 79-run loss on Friday, December 29. Australia, starting the day at 187/6 with a second-innings lead of 241, managed to post 262, setting Pakistan a target of 317 runs to win and keep the Test series alive.

Despite hopes for a historic victory on Australian soil, Pakistan faced early setbacks on Day 4 as Mitchell Starc removed Abdullah Shafique and skipper Pat Cummins dismissed Imam-ul-Haq. Shan Masood and Babar Azam initiated a counterattack, adding 61 runs off 72 balls, but the departure of Masood for a resilient 60 disrupted their momentum. Saud Shakeel and Babar aimed to revive the innings, yet Shakeel fell to Josh Hazlewood after scoring 41.

A promising partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, contributing 57 runs, reignited Pakistan’s hopes. However, controversy struck when Rizwan was controversially caught behind by Alex Carey off Cummins. With Rizwan’s departure, Pakistan still required 98 runs with only four wickets remaining. Salman displayed valor, securing a half-century, but the Australian bowlers, led by Cummins with a five-for and Starc with four wickets, dismissed Pakistan for 237. The result handed Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, dashing Pakistan’s aspirations of clinching their maiden Test series victory on Australian soil.