Immense Cummins takes 10 to inspire Australia to tough victory
Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman gave Pakistan hope, but the end came swiftly after a dramatic moment
25/12Result
2nd Test, Pakistan tour of Australia at Melbourne, Dec 26-29 2023
-
![Australia]( "Australia")
318 & 262 -
![Pakistan]( "Pakistan")
264 & 237 (67.2 ov)
Player of the Match
25/12Result
2nd Test, Pakistan tour of Australia at Melbourne, Dec 26-29 2023
-
![Australia]( "Australia")
318 & 262 -
![Pakistan]( "Pakistan")
264 & 237 (67.2 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 4
Shahid Afridi: Rauf should be part of Test side instead of BBL
He also believes Pakistan needed to invest in depth rather than individuals
Hafeez says 'inconsistent umpiring' and 'technology curse' cost Pakistan the MCG Test
Pakistan team director was particularly unhappy with Rizwan's dismissal, saying "there was no conclusive kind of evidence" for the umpire's initial not-out decision to be changed
Stats - Cummins' rare captaincy double, and Babar's quiet 2023
Pakistan lost their 16th successive Test in Australia, even as their fast bowlers grabbed 19 of the 20 wickets at MCG
Pakistan played better than Australia, says Mohammad Hafeez
Team director rues mistakes with bat, ball and in the field that cost Pakistan a rare Test win in Australia
The Cummins show that deserves a pat and defines his legacy
A man for all conditions and occasions, he has led Australia to a WTC title, an away Ashes retention and an ODI World Cup in 2023 alone
Pakistan's pursuit of history culminates in another heartbreak
One thing that lasts longer than Australian heartbreak is Pakistani belief. And day four captured that perfectly
Day 3
Marsh's 96 gives Australia edge as Pakistan left to rue dropped catch
Shaheen Afridi and Mir Hamza pulled the visitors back into the MCG Test but they could not take full advantage
Pakistan's best chance slips through Shafique's hands
Pakistan had Australia four down for nearly nothing in the second innings, and then dropped the chance that could have made all the difference
'We are in the game' - Hamza fulfils his dream, and keeps Pakistan's alive
"What I hope is we win and my performance is crucial to it"
Play delayed as third umpire gets stuck in lift at MCG
The start of the second session on the third day was held up in unusual circumstances
Day 2
Cummins changes the day after Shafique and Masood hint at dominance
Pakistan had moved into a promising position before things went wrong after tea on an action-packed day at the MCG
Betting adverts removed from Pakistan broadcast of Melbourne Test
State broadcaster PTV suspended coverage of the game due to the superimposed adverts on the outfield
Shafique rues Pakistan's batting collapse: 'As a batter you have to take your chances'
"Someone like Cummins will not give you loose deliveries so you have to create them. He was planning something for me because I was playing well there"
Pakistan, and the familiar sigh of resignation
Defeats against most opposition inflicts bruises, but Australia leave tattoos, and Pakistan are now covered in them
'How did that bowl me?' - the tale of Babar, Cummins, and a dream ball
In the past, Babar has appeared to get the better of Cummins more often than not. Against that ball, he didn't have a chance
Day 1
Labuschagne holds fort as Pakistan make inroads on rain-hit Boxing Day
Australia finished the day strongly despite losing Warner, Khawaja and Smith against an improved Pakistan bowling display
Optimistic Hasan Ali reckons Pakistan are ahead after shackling Australia
David Warner, meanwhile, credits Pakistan's bowling attack for bowling "unbelievable channels"
Warner picks Warner's replacement: 'Harris has always been next in line'
"He's put his statement out there that he believes in" - Warner bats for opening partner Khawaja
Hussey on Warner's replacement: 'I'd go for a traditional opener, someone who has done it for a long period of time'
"If you haven't done it much in your first-class career, it's going to be very difficult to come up the order"
Others
A wicket-taking bowler like Cummins is a batter's nightmare and captain's pride
Trusting the process is all well and good but the ability to deliver when good batters are attacking is what separates fast-bowling greats from the herd
I'm an umpire ... get me out of here
The players and on-field umpires were ready to begin but there was no sign of the third umpire
What is the highest percentage of extras conceded in a Test?
And has anyone else done the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in a year as Kapil Dev has?
Pakistan change tack as Rizwan replaces Sarfaraz for Boxing Day
Skipper Shan Masood defends the decision to play Sarfaraz ahead of Rizwan in Perth saying he was rewarded for red-ball form
Shahzad a significant doubt for Boxing Day Test
He has been sent for an MRI scan, but his participation in the second Test appears unlikely
Cummins curious on ICC not allowing Khawaja's dove logo
Australia skipper supports Khawaja and sees no difference between a dove logo representing human rights and Labuschagne's approved eagle sticker that is a religious display
ICC denies Khawaja's latest attempt to raise Gaza crisis awareness
His application was to display the image of a dove and an olive branch on his bat and shoes
Pakistan go to Boxing Day looking for a Christmas miracle
Mohammad Rizwan is expected to replace Sarfaraz Ahmed in one of several changes ahead of the Boxing Day Test
Priceless Mitchell Starc stays committed to Test cricket
He may have netted AUD 4 million at the IPL auction but the way he has been bowling in 2023 makes him worth so much more to his country
Mitchell Starc is actually priceless
He may have netted AUD 4 million at the IPL auction but the way he has been bowling in 2023 makes him worth so much more to his country
Back at MCG, Carey will look to end year of up-and-down fortunes on a high
Carey isn't focusing on red-ball cricket alone, but opportunities in the Australia white-ball teams might not be too frequent
Sarfaraz vs Rizwan: Pakistan's self-inflicted conundrum
The decision over who plays, as with nearly everything about this debate, seems to come down to how it makes everyone feel
Pakistan are down, but Shakeel keeps faith in Boxing Day dream
He used to wake up to 5am alarms every year on December 26. Now he's about to play his first MCG Test, confident Pakistan can end their run of Australian misery
For Aamer Jamal, dark alleys will always lead to high streets
His Test debut in Perth came against all logic, but Aamer Jamal learnt his lessons quickly and finished as Pakistan's best bowler
Problems are all Pakistan's as daunting MCG looms
Australia are strong and settled as they aim to close out a memorable year with victory
