Pat Cummins guides Australia to series-clinching win over Pakistan at the MCG

Mark Molyneux

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Pat Cummins guides Australia to series-clinching win over Pakistan at the MCG image

Australia have retained the Benaud-Qadir Trophy after taking an unassailable 2-0 series lead with an absorbing 79-run win over Pakistan in Melbourne.

Set a total of 317 runs to win on day four at the MCG, which would have been one of the highest chases in the last century, the tourists’ threatened to pull off a miracle before player-of-the-match Pat Cummins guided his side home to victory. 

Pat Cummins guides Australia to series-clinching win over Pakistan at the MCG

In an entertaining and tightly fought contest which came to be defined by a number of key moments, the Australians were always able to swing momentum back in their favour either through individual spells of brilliance or be the beneficiaries of sloppy mistakes from the Pakistanis.

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On numerous occasions throughout the four days, the home side were placed under the blowtorch by a spirited outfit but each time they managed to escape essentially unscathed.

Captain Cummins was the decisive factor as it was his dismissal of counterpart Shan Masood that changed the course of the second innings just as Pakistan appeared to be getting a foothold in their run chase.

It was the second of three times in the match that Cummins had been able to snatch the momentum back, with his blitz on the second day sparking a batting collapse of 5-46. 

While Cummins enjoyed a memorable Test, finishing with the second 10 wicket Test haul of his career, at the opposite end of the spectrum was Abdullah Shafique who endured a nightmare in the slips.

The opener’s spilled catch on Mitch Marsh, while the Aussies were four wickets down and in serious trouble, proved pivotal with the allrounder going on to only narrowly miss out on a century during his 154-run partnership with Steve Smith.

MORE: Mitch Marsh produces brilliant knock to punish Pakistan error

Yet despite this, Pakistan still put themselves in a position to keep the three-match series alive as they sped along with a healthy run rate.

Babar Azam was growing in confidence at the crease with the Pakistan star starting to show his class for the first time this summer. However, as ever, the Australians had the answer.

Josh Hazlewood rattling the stumps with a venomous delivery which nipped back to remove the danger man for 41.

Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Salman offered one final bit of resistance as a handy partnership still proved that hope flickered eternal, until Cummins claimed his 250th Test wicket with a controversial removal of the wicketkeeper.

The captain continued his stellar showing by mopping up the rest of the tail in brutal fashion alongside Mitch Starc to break Pakistan hearts and keep them winless on Aussie soil for just shy of three decades. 

Pat Cummins reacts to Australia's series win over Pakistan 

"I love playing here," Cummins beamed after being presented with his player-of-the match award.

"Boxing Day is just about the biggest Test match on the calendar each year. I love the build up around Christmas and the last few years this wicket has been pretty nice for us quicks. 

"You've got a few options here. There is a bit of seam in the last few years and also there's a bit of up and down bounce so you can bowl a few short balls."

The 30-year-old was the deciding factor in both innings, claiming 5-48 and then 5-49 to haul himself further up the leaderboard when it comes to all-time Australian bowling greats. 

"I was a little bit twitchy there," Cummins admitted after the Pakistan side cut the deficit to double figures. 

"Even when we were at 4-16 [earlier in the Test match] the dressing room was really calm. We know someone is going to step up and it'll be their day."

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux Photo

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.