Australia thrash Pakistan with an impressive victory of an innings and 18 runs on the final day of the 5-day Test match at Melbourne , thanks to the brave yet intelligent captaincy by Steve Smith and some spirited performances by his team mates, specially the pace man Mitchell Starc. The test which seemed to end in a draw on 4th day turned into an exciting match on the final day with aggressive tactics by the hosts .
Earlier, Pakistan made 443/9d in the first innings , thanks to a classy double ton by Azhar Ali and decent performances by others , including half century by Asad Shafiq. Australia replied strongly with 624/8d which included centuries from Warner and Smith and some quick runs by the tail-enders like Mitchell Starc, who made 84 off 91 balls.
Skipper Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 165 when he called a halt to the massive Australian first innings to give his bowlers a minimum of 70 overs to see off the tourists. Australians took 53.2 overs to bowl out Pakistan with Starc taking four for 36
Pakistan went into the final session with first innings double-centurion Azhar Ali on 34 and Sarfraz Ahmed on one and still trailing by 90 runs. But they were blown away by the reverse swing and pace of Mitchell Starc as the Australian left-armer picked up 4/36 and off-spinner Nathan Lyon capturing three for 33 to bowl Pakistan out for 163.
Australia won the series ahead of Tuesday’s final Test in Sydney with Pakistan now having lost their last 11 Tests in Australia.
