PERTH: Australia strengthened its position in the first Test against Pakistan as Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith extended the host’s lead, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon edged closer to the historic 500-wicket mark.
At the end of day three in Perth, Australia stood at 84-2, accumulating a substantial lead of 300 runs after dismissing Pakistan for 271 in response to their formidable first innings total of 487.
Nathan Lyon, the seasoned spinner, proved instrumental in Australia’s bowling performance, securing figures of 3-66. As he stands on the brink of claiming his 500th Test wicket, Lyon is set to join an elite group of only seven other players.
The day began with Pakistan resuming their innings at 132-2, facing Australia’s formidable bowling attack. However, the visitors struggled to counter the pace and bounce of the Perth wicket.
Pakistan Batting Against Australia
Debutant Khurram Shahzad, opening for Pakistan, fell victim to Pat Cummins after facing just two balls. Despite Babar Azam’s efforts to anchor the innings with a well-fought 21, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon orchestrated a mini-collapse.
Opener Imam-ul-Haq, who notched a stoic 62, was dismissed with Lyon returning to the attack, employing a stumping technique by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. The subsequent wickets of Sarfaraz Ahmed and Saud Shakeel further deepened Pakistan’s woes.
Mitchell Starc’s swinging delivery dismantled Faheem Ashraf for nine, and Lyon claimed his 499th wicket with the dismissal of Aamer Jamal, courtesy of another Carey stumping. Travis Head’s part-time spin then accounted for Shaheen Shah Afridi, concluding Pakistan’s innings.
In their second innings, Australia faced a shaky start with David Warner departing for a duck, but Khawaja and Smith combined for an unbeaten 79-run partnership, guiding the hosts to a commanding lead of 300 runs by stumps.
