AUSTRALIA was able to claim the all-important second men’s test against Pakistan in Melbourne, bowling the visitors out for 237 in the final innings to ensure they fell short of their 317-run target. Australia had done well to add a further 76 runs onto its lead from the end of day three, then made it day five obsolete with a strong bowling performance to secure the 79-run victory.

In a shock to no one, Australian skipper Pat Cummins won Player of the Match for his incredible double five-for performance across both innings. After taking 5-48 off 20 overs in the first innings as he helped bowl the visitors out for 264, he stepped up again yesterday, taking 5-49 off 18 overs in another incredible spell as Pakistan was wrapped up for 237.

The two Pakistan innings were vastly different, with Nathan Lyon taking four wickets in the first innings before Mitchell Starc – who was arguably the weakest of the first innings bowlers – came in to take 4-55 off 13.2 overs, including the last wicket which was a golden duck to Mir Hamza, securing the win.

Australia led by 241 runs with four wickets in hand entering the day, but did manage to get a few more on the board as Alex Carey went from 16 not out off 42 balls to hit 37 off 59 and reach a half century of 53 before he was bowled lbw to close out the innings. Carey had bravely stuck in there as Starc (nine off 21), Cummins (16 off 30) and Lyon (11 off 13) all departed, for Australia to finish on 262.

Needing a huge 317 runs which would make it the second largest run chase in MCG history, Pakistan needed a strong start. However when Abdullah Shafique fell for four inside the first eight runs off Starc’s bowling, it looked even more insurmountable. Imam Ul Haq followed 41 runs later after adding 12 off 38, before skipper Shan Masood and partner Babar Azam dug their heels in.

Masood stepped up when his team needed him, smashing 60 runs off 71 balls with a run rate of 84.51, while Azam also made sure the runs kept ticking over with a quick 41 off 79. When Masood’s quick-fire innings ended at the hands of Cummins via a catch to Steve Smith, Pakistan was 3-110. Azam was bowled by Josh Hazlewood 36 runs later.

Starc claimed his second wicket of Saud Shakeel in the 46th over as Pakistan went to 5-162 and now needed 155 runs from its last five wickets. Incredibly, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha both stuck fat at the crease, maintaining a high run rate despite having over a day to achieve the feat.

Playing a great brand of cricket, Rizwan hit 35 off 62 as Agha made his half century and the pair made a 47-run sixth wicket partnership. When Cummings took the breakthrough wicket of Rizwan, Aamir Jamal followed a coupe of overs later without adding any runs, and Pakistan slumped to 7-219 still requiring 98.

Though Agha remained at the crease, and he and Shaheen Afridi managed to produce an 18-run eighth wicket partnership, Pakistan’s tail never wagged. Cummins and Starc wrapped up the final three wickets within the space of five balls to finish off the innings, and the tail and secure the victory.

The third test between the nations kicks off on January 3, with Australia and Pakistan heading to Sydney. Pakistan must win the test in order to be a shot to still win the overall series with Australia up 2-0.