PERTH, Australia: In the first Test at Perth, Pakistan’s first innings closed at 271 against Australia, which had amassed a lead of 216 runs.
Notable performances included Imamul Haq’s 62 runs and Abdullah Shafique’s 42.
By lunch on day three, Pakistan stood at 203-6, trailing by 284 runs. However, they lost eight wickets post-lunch and were dismissed for 271, with Salman Agha unbeaten at 22.
Despite a solid start in pursuit of Australia’s 487 in the first innings, Pakistan succumbed to the formidable Australian bowling attack. Imam-ul-Haq and Khurram Shahzad initially resumed their innings, but Shahzad, on debut, fell to Pat Cummins after just two balls. Azam, in his 50th Test, struggled initially but managed to contribute before falling to Marsh for 21.
Haq’s solid innings was halted at 62 by Lyon, leading to a collapse that saw Sarfaraz Ahmed dismissed for 3 by Mitchell Starc. Pakistan’s last Test victory in Australia dates back to 1995.
