Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman gave Pakistan hope but Cummins five-wicket haul in each innings led the hosts bowled Pakistan out for 237 to win the Boxing Day Test..

By PakPassion Staff (29 December 2023)

In a thrilling final half-hour at the MCG, what seemed like a tense fifth-day run chase ended in a 79-run victory for Australia after Rizwan's dismissal triggered a collapse against Pat Cummins' aggressive fast bowling.

This unexpected victory featured remarkable diving catches from Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith as Pakistan's tailenders struggled against a relentless barrage of bouncers.

Rizwan, poised to be the hero in a challenging chase of 317, was deemed caught behind while trying to evade a fiery Cummins bouncer. Despite the umpire initially rejecting the appeal, Cummins remained convinced of the dismissal. Rizwan, pointing to the impact just below his right elbow, defended vehemently. However, TV footage suggested contact with the elasticized wristband on his batting glove, leading to his dismissal per cricket laws.

Rizwan's spirited defense, coupled with the time-consuming third-umpire review by Richard Illingworth, added controversy to the crucial moment in Pakistan's attempt at a remarkable victory.

Rizwan's reputation for thriving in challenging situations was known to Australia as they approached the wicket with Pakistan at 4-146, facing dwindling hopes after the dismissal of their key batter, Babar Azam.

Despite Rizwan's determined resistance and his reluctance to leave the field after a prolonged review, his innings concluded at 35. Batting partner Salman Ali Agha shared Rizwan's displeasure, gesturing to his own forearm, although the final decision rested with the off-field umpire.

As Rizwan left the field, Pakistan's chances of chasing down the required 97 runs for victory diminished, relying on tailenders to support Salman in their challenging pursuit.

Shortly after Rizwan's departure, Cummins had Aamir Jamal caught with a return catch off another aggressive bouncer. Australia then claimed an additional half-hour of play, leading to Cummins completing a 10-wicket haul and Mitchell Starc taking 2-0 in consecutive deliveries. Pakistan's last three wickets fell without adding a run.

Despite Rizwan's confidence in leading his team to victory before his controversial dismissal, the reality was always an uphill battle after the earlier dismissals of Pakistan's top-order batsmen.

The burden rested on skipper Shan Masood and former captain Babar Azam. Shan, who began the tour with a double-century at Canberra, faced a challenging start but displayed resilience. Babar found form, but technical flaws resurfaced, leading to his dismissal.

At 4-146, the target of 317 seemed distant, and Shakeel's dismissal further diminished hopes. Rizwan, known for his counter-punching skills, was left as the last recognized batter, with spin-bowling allrounder Salman and four seamers of questionable batting abilities to find the remaining 155 runs.

The target would have been less imposing if not for Alex Carey's valuable half-century earlier in the day and his partnerships with Australia's tailenders. Despite scrutiny over Carey's recent batting performances, he navigated the challenging pitch effectively, forming productive alliances with Starc (22), Cummins (28), Lyon (12), and Hazlewood (13).

In the end, Australia's aggressive fast bowling and exceptional fielding proved decisive. The win marks Australia's first Test victory against Pakistan at the MCG since 1995, showcasing their ability to triumph from challenging situations.