TALKING POINTS
Follow UsAustralia completely dominated Day Four of the first Test against Pakistan to such an extent that they were able to romp home to an easy victory with a day to spare. Pakistan were bowled out for just 89, chasing a mammoth 450 in Perth, their fifth-lowest total against Australia and their third-lowest Down Under.
Pakistan have now lost 15 Tests in a row in Australia.
Let's take a closer look at what transpired at the Perth Stadium and the way ahead for the rest of the series:
Improved Starc
When Mitchell Starc is on song, it is a treat to watch. That was the case on Day Four as he bowled a little fuller and much more closer to the batters, especially the right-handers, and that did the trick. On the fourth day, he got the wickets of Abdullah Shafique (2), Imam-ul-Haq (10), and Sarfaraz Ahmed.
However, that was not the case on Day Three when he sprayed all over the place. While he was not too expensive, he barely made the batters play at most deliveries, allowing them to settle in nicely and not keeping up the pressure that was created from the other end.
Intense battle
The battle between Pat Cummins and Babar Azam has been an intriguing one. Cummins bowled a tempting line outside off, keeping Babar on his toes and eventually, the former Pakistan skipper just poked out one in that region and was caught behind.
Interestingly, this is the first time Cummins has gotten the better of Azam in Tests. The Pakistan batter has a terrific record against the Australia captain, averaging 137 against him.
Lyon roars to 500 wickets
On Day One, we spoke about how David Warner would go down as an all-time great when he silenced his critics with a superb ton. The same can also be said about Nathan Lyon, who became only the eighth player to scalp 500 wickets in the format, with the wicket of Faheem Ashraf.
His ability to hit the good length consistently has been truly amazing - a skill that has fetched him 74% of his wickets.
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The 36-year-old's adaptability and his hunger to keep improving to keep performing at the highest level has taken him this far, and it wouldn't be surprising if he moves up the ladder in the next couple of years.
Headache with selection for PAK
While Pakistan did well in patches, they were well behind the eight-ball for most of the Test. Shan Masood's captain in Tests began with the introduction of two new seamers - Khurram Shahzad and Aamer Jamal - into the fold. They proved to be the best performers for the team, picking up 12 of the 15 Australian wickets.
It would surely be harsh to drop either one for the next Test in Melbourne in nine days. The best option for Pakistan would be to get in spinner - either a fully fit Abrar Ahmed or off-spinner Sajid Khan - in at the MCG at the cost of Faheem Ashraf.
Ashraf managed just a solitary wicket from his 24 overs in the Test, and he failed to save his face even with the bat, managing just 14 across two innings.
Since 2022, Ashraf averages 7.13 with the bat, and with the ball, it shoots up to a whopping 80.33. Pakistan surely do not have much to lose by dropping Ashraf but could gain plenty if they rope in a spinner in his place at MCG. This is one headache the Pakistan captain and the coach will not mind having.
