Australia crushes Pakistan in 2nd Test; Cummins becomes 10th Aussie bowler to pick 250+ wickets

Captain Pat Cummins' second 10-wicket total in test matches led Australia to a 79-run win over Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the fourth day of the second cricket test on Friday.

Melbourne: Australia continues to dominate Pakistan in the three match series as they register a thrashing victory over the visitors by 79 runs to seal the second on Day 4 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The Pat Cummins-led side have now sealed the by 2-0 with a game remaining at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Australian skipper Cummins led the bowling attack, claiming his 10th five wicket haul and second 10 wicket haul in Test cricket. With his exceptional performance in the second test, he also became the 10th Australian bowler to pick 250+ wickets. He achieved this milestone with the wicket of Pakistan's wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan.

• A 10-wicket haul takes Pat Cummins into the top 10 Australian Test wicket-takers of all time! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/FIc5gO8Q2B

  — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  A 10-wicket haul takes Pat Cummins into the top 10 Australian Test wicket-takers of all time! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/FIc5gO8Q2B

  — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2023

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  A 10-wicket haul takes Pat Cummins into the top 10 Australian Test wicket-takers of all time! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/FIc5gO8Q2B

  — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2023

Pakistan were needed 188 runs with seven wickets in hand to win their first game in Australia since 1995, but they lost former skipper Babar Azam's wicket soon after tea session while lefty Saud Shakeel didn't looked comfortable against the bouncers and gave an easy catch to wicket-keeper Alex Carey, bowled by Mitchell Starc.

However, Rizwan and all-rounder Salman Agha gave a tough fight and stitched a fifty partnership, reducing Target below 100 runs mark, but then Rizwan failed to read Cummins' short of good length delivery and walked back to pavilion for well made 35 runs. Further Salman completed his another Test half-century, but didn't get the support from the tail-enders. Australian bowlers bundled out Pakistan's innings quickly as they didn't allow the last four batters to add a single to the tally.

Earlier, PAt the time of Tea, Pakistan's score read 129/3 -188 runs needed to win- with Babar Azam (35) and Saud Shakeel (10) unbeaten at the crease. In the 5th over, Pat Cummins was rewarded with the wicket of opener Imam-ul-Haq. The ball was shown to be partially hitting the stumps after Imam took a DRS review.

Shan and Babar slowly took the ascendancy with some brave shots and a little good fortune in avoiding any edges. Shan brought up his 50, which he made in just 58 balls with six boundaries. Pakistan passed 100 with Shan (59) and Babar (24) taking the stick to Lyon and stopping Australia from building pressure on them.

Australia skipper Cummins dismissed Pakistan captain Shan who was caught by Steve Smith at second slip. Shan went back to the pavilion after scoring 60 off 71 deliveries. Pakistan headed to the last session with Azam and Shakeel unbeaten at the crease.

Earlier, Pakistan needed 292 runs, while Australia required nine wickets to win after the first session on Day 4. Mitchell Starc dismissed Abdullah Shafique cheaply in the morning session after the hosts set visitors a 317-run target.

The hosts hit their straps with both Starc and Josh Hazlewood making most of the new ball, Nathan Lyon was brought on for an over before lunch and he nearly got Australia a wicket but it turned out to be not out in the DRS call.

Australia won the first Test in Perth by 360 runs. The third Test in the three-match series is scheduled to begin Jan. 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Pakistan won its last Test in Australia in 1995.