Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon snatch unlikely win for Australia
No fewer than 141 overs were lost to rain but Australia, led by their captain Steven Smith, secured a dramatic Test and series victory with the last hour to spare at the MCG.
25/12Result
2nd Test, Pakistan tour of Australia at Melbourne, Dec 26-30 2016
-
![Pakistan]( "Pakistan")
443/9d & 163 (53.2 ov) -
![Australia]( "Australia")
624/8d
Player of the Match
25/12Result
2nd Test, Pakistan tour of Australia at Melbourne, Dec 26-30 2016
-
![Pakistan]( "Pakistan")
443/9d & 163 (53.2 ov) -
![Australia]( "Australia")
624/8d
Player of the Match
Day 5
It looks over, but thank you Misbah
Maybe it should be, maybe it is time, maybe he should walk away now and enjoy everything he has achieved, has won, has fought for. Maybe he should. But I don't want it to be over
Misbah has 'no explanation' for Pakistan implosion
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq struggled to explain how his side ended up losing by an innings in a Test which they had begun by declaring on 443.
Highest total and most sixes at MCG
Pakistan's most defeats in a Test year, Starc collects an MCG record, and other stats highlights from the fifth day of the second Test between Australia and Pakistan in Melbourne
Misbah 'thinking about' retirement; unsure for Sydney Test
Misbah-ul-Haq has raised the possibility that he may leave international cricket, even as soon as before the third and final Test of Pakistan's series against Australia.
The tune that would haunt Pakistan
Dismissals, drops, catches, trends, they all came together to form a tune that would haunt Pakistan for a long time
'Breaking the Azhar-Shafiq partnership was key' - Smith
Steven Smith has come out in praise of his team, particularly Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc, who pulled off an unlikely victory on the final day at the MCG.
You won't take this Lyon down
Nathan Lyon began the fifth day at the MCG uncertain of his place in the side for the Sydney Test. By the end of play, he stepped back from the precipice with a spell that set the tone for Australia's unlikely win
Day 4
Handscomb and Smith fifties put Australia in sight of lead
Peter Handscomb scored his third score of fifty-plus in as many Tests, and Steven Smith passed a half-century too, to help Australia close the gap with Pakistan's lead in the first session of the
Let's talk about six
Australia have struggled to find a No. 6 batsman in Tests and it appears the search will continue for a while
Smith's affair with the Boxing Day Test
Stats highlights from a rain-curtailed fourth day in Melbourne
Lyon hasn't bowled 'at his best' - Smith
Australia's captain Steven Smith has declined to name Nathan Lyon a certain starter for the Sydney Test, declaring that Australia needed greater consistency from the offspinner.
Pakistan's muddled bowling strategies
There is little doubt that Pakistan have planned and executed poorly with the ball in this series. Bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, however, did not have all the answers to explain this area of concern
Day 3
Azhar ton, Sohail fifty flatten Australia
An imperious Azhar Ali and destructive Sohail Khan sent the Australians scurrying with an unbeaten eighth-wicket stand of 116 to catapult Pakistan well past 400
Azhar Ali sets double-ton benchmarks
Stats highlights from the MCG Test, where Azhar Ali became the first Pakistan batsman to hit two scores of 200-plus in a year
The century David Warner shouldn't have made
The Australia opener's bizarre year in Test cricket ended with a chancy but memorable hundred, which has changed the game's momentum
Wahab's no-ball troubles blunting Pakistan's weapon
The frequency with which the Pakistan fast bowler has overstepped in recent Tests is almost alarming, and, at the MCG against Australia, it marred what was otherwise a sensational spell
Mark Nicholas taken back to hospital
The commentator was taken back to hospital shortly after resuming broadcasting duties on day three of the Boxing Day Test.
Making sense of Misbah's insane fields
Yasir Shah bowled predominantly with a six-three, leg-side field on the third day at the MCG, and it allowed the Australian batsmen to plunder
Day 2
Rain spoils contest after Azhar ton
A century from Azhar Ali and staunch support by Asad Shafiq frustrated Australia's bowlers on a rain-interrupted day two in Melbourne.
Azhar Ali: no show, all performance
He might not be the most talked about or attractive batsman in Pakistan's line up, but Azhar Ali has proven himself to be equal to the best when it comes to scoring Test runs
Rain upsets Pakistan's hard-earned momentum
Pakistan endured a day of frustration at the MCG, as light but persistent rain twice prevented them from pressing on with the game just when they seemed perfectly placed to do so
Australia's quicks carrying a heavy load
Australia's missing pace-bowling allrounder, and an apparent underuse of Nathan Lyon, have left Josh Hazlewood & Co doing a lion share of the work in the field.
Azhar's milestone year, Bird's MCG love
The Pakistan batsman went past 1000 runs in 2016; the Australia bowler's average at the MCG is eye-catching as well
Day 1
Australia claw ahead with regular blows
A fine delivery from Jackson Bird and a better catch by Nic Maddinson at short leg put Australia in control of Pakistan's first innings before rain arrived at the MCG.
'Comfortable with Sohail's selection' - Arthur
Mickey Arthur, Pakistan's coach, said the team was 'comfortable' with their selection of Sohail Khan
Arthur wants Younis, Misbah to stay
Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan have earned the right to decide when to leave the game, according to Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur.
Bird holds his own amid uncertainty
Earlier in the year Jackson Bird, pace bowler, was dropped for his batting. He faces competition from faster, younger men. But, unsurprisingly, he still got the job done on Boxing Day.
When the cult of Nathan Lyon hit Melbourne
A Facebook campaign had called for the Melbourne fans to yell "Niiiice, Garry" after Nathan Lyon's third ball of the Test. Fittingly, the offspinner took a wicket with it
Others
Leg-side fields at MCG was 'my mistake', says Yasir Shah
Pakistan legspinner Yasir Shah, who conceded over 200 runs at over five to the over in the Boxing Day Test, has said he had bowled the wrong length at the MCG
From No. 1 to now what have you done
From the top of the world, Pakistan came crashing down.
Topsy-turvy Pakistan at the MCG
All week they have spoken about the confidence they gained in Brisbane, in spite of their losing the Test. To be fair, in training at least, they have walked the talk
Australia look to quell the fuss after Gabba
Even though much of the attention from the Gabba Test was on Australia's struggles in the face of a defiant Pakistan chase, Steven Smith was pleased that his side managed to seal the match.
Starc excited for maiden Boxing Day Test
The Australian spearhead looks forward to playing in his first Boxing Day Test, having missed all opportunities since his debut back in December 2011.
Pakistan need more than a moral victory in Australia
Boxing Day returns Australian cricket to more traditional territory after two pink-ball matches in a row, with Pakistan needing to win to stay in the series.
