On Charge Pakistan Stalled by Cummins Magic in Melbourne Test
Australia’s hopes of a first Boxing Day Test win since 1995 flickered back to life after Pat Cummins led a stunning fightback on day two in Melbourne. Pakistan, threatening to take control after dismissing Australia for 318, were cruising at 124-1 before Cummins’ two-wicket blitz in quick succession ripped the heart out of their innings.
The day began brilliantly for Pakistan. Jamal’s 3-64 spearheaded the dismissal of Australia, with Labuschagne’s 63 the lone bright spot amidst a flurry of dropped catches and sloppy fielding. In reply, Shafique and Masood defied the Aussie quicks with a gritty 90-run stand, building a platform for a potential first-innings lead.
But just as Pakistan looked poised to seize the advantage, Cummins turned the tide in a dramatic two-over spell. His brilliant catch to dismiss Shafique for 62 was followed by a stunning delivery that sent Babar Azam packing for a single. The MCG crowd erupted, and the momentum swung decisively back towards Australia.
Lyon joined the party, breaking the opening stand and removing Masood for a well-constructed 54. Hazlewood and Cummins then chipped away, reducing Pakistan to 194-6 at stumps. Rizwan (29*) and Jamal (2* from 26) remain at the crease with 124 runs still needed to avoid going into day three behind.
Cummins, the hero of the hour, reflected on the day’s dramatic shift. “We bowled decently before tea, but they batted well,” he admitted. “But those big wickets late on changed everything. We’re happy with our position now.”
He acknowledged the tough battle ahead, praising his team’s batting effort to reach 300 and predicting a pitch that will favor bowlers more as the days progress.
Pakistan’s promising day dampened by late-order woes: What could have been a remarkable day for Pakistan was ultimately marred by their own batting mistakes. Once the established batters fell, the rest of the lineup crumbled, failing to provide significant partnerships or extended stays at the crease. As a result, Pakistan remain 124 runs behind Australia in this crucial test.
With this advantage, Australia will likely aim to restrict Pakistan to a lead within around 80 runs. This would hand Australia the clear upper hand going into the final innings.
The third day is poised to be a nail-biter. Australia will undoubtedly look to capitalize on the early morning conditions to bowl Pakistan out quickly. They’ll then aim to bat for at least 80 overs, setting a substantial target for Pakistan to chase in the fourth innings, potentially putting them under immense pressure.
Pakistan’s hopes for a series-leveling win hang in the balance, while Australia dreams of a historic Boxing Day triumph. The final day promises a thrilling conclusion to this captivating Test match.
