‘Minnows for a reason’- Fans react as Australia hammer Pakistan by 360 runs in Perth Test

Australia hammered Pakistan by a mammoth 360 runs at the Optus Stadium in Perth to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. It was never going to be easy for the visitors, but today, on Day 4, Pakistan crumbled terribly. They were bowled out for a paltry 89 in the fourth innings.

Having won the toss, Australia opted to bat first, scoring 487 runs. David Warner was the star of the show as the Southpaw made 164 runs with the help of 4 sixes and 16 boundaries. Mitchell Marsh missed his century by ten runs, but Australia had piled up a daunting total. For Pakistan, debutant Aamer Jamal returned figures of 6-111. In response, Pakistan started well as they were 123-2 at one point in time but collapsed to just 271. Imam Ul Haq notched up a fifty, and a few others got starts, but no one could compile a huge score to take Pakistan close to Australia’s total. All the Aussies bowled extremely well to keep Shan Masood and Co. under constant pressure.

Australia did not enforce the follow-on and instead added 233 more runs to set Pakistan a target of 450. Usman Khawaja scored 90 crucial runs while the experienced Marsh shone once again, scoring a quickfire 63. Khurram Shahzad, another debutant, was the pick of the bowlers, scalping three wickets. Chasing 450 was improbable but no one thought that Pakistan would end up with just 89 runs on the board. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood picked up three wickets each while Nathan Lyon picked up two. In the process, Lyon also reached the milestone of 500 Test wickets. Mitchell Marash was adjudged the Player-of-the-Match for his vital contributions in both essays.

Another whitewash on the cards?

This Perth thrashing leaves Pakistan reeling, searching for answers to a seemingly invincible Australian juggernaut. The Aussies, on the other hand, stand tall, savouring the sweet taste of victory and the echoes of a dominant display. Given their poor start and track record in Australia, this could turn out to be a long and miserable tour for Pakistan.