AUS vs PAK 1st Test: Nathan Lyon becomes third Australian to achieve 500 test wickets, R Ashwin reacts on his achievement

Australia's off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed his 500th test, becoming the only third bowler of the country to achieve this milestone at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday. He is now only behind legendary leg spinner Shane Warne (708) and right-arm pacer Glenn McGrath (563).

Perth: Australia's off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed his 500th test wicket after removing Pakistan left-hand batter Faheem Ashraf, becoming the only third bowler of the country to achieve this milestone at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday. He is also the third most wicket-taker for Australia, only behind Australian greats, right-arm leg spinner Shane Warne (708) and right-arm pacer Glenn McGrath (563).

• FIVE HUNDRED! #AUSvPAK #PlayOfTheDay @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/DyDC5hUdTJ

  — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  FIVE HUNDRED! #AUSvPAK #PlayOfTheDay @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/DyDC5hUdTJ

  — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2023

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  FIVE HUNDRED! #AUSvPAK #PlayOfTheDay @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/DyDC5hUdTJ

  — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2023

Lyon also became the only eighth bowler to take 500 or more scalps in Test cricket overall. Sri Lanka's bowling legend Muthaih Muralidaran is leading the chart with 800 wickets in test crickets, followed by Warne (708), England's pacer James Anderson (690), India's Anil Kumble (619), Another Englishmen Stuard Broad and McGrath (563).

Lyon is the only fourth-spinner and second off-spin bowler to achieve this landmark.

Ahead of the test series against Pakistan, the 36-year-old heaped praises for India star all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, saying, "You look at Ashwin, he's a world-class bowler and somebody I've watched closely from the start of his career."

Now, Ashwin has congratulated Lyon for his achievement in a social media post. He took to 'X', formerly known as Twitter, and wrote, "8th bowler and only the 2nd off-spinner in history to pick 500 test wickets. @NathLyon421 congrats mate."

Earlier, a day before the first test, Nathan Lyon tagged Ashwin in his tweet and wrote, "I’m sure the competition to pick the best venue for this catch-up will be strong, but we both have a few good years left in us yet @ashwinravi99." "We can do a home and away for the catch up too. Sydney - your choice, Chennai - Soup with Muthu and chaat at OSB (West Mambalam). Go well tomorrow and see u soon," Ashwin said in reply to his tweet.

The right-arm off-spinner now has 500 wickets under his belt including 23 five-for and four ten-four at an average of 30.95 with the best bowling figures in innings of 8/50.