Mitchell Starc spearheaded Australia to a stunning final day innings victory over Pakistan with a mercurial bat and ball performance to claim the series in Melbourne on Friday.
The fast bowler smashed 84 off 91 balls with a record seven sixes and then captured four wickets for 36 to lead Australia to a resounding innings and 18-run victory over the hapless tourists.
Australia win! Pakistan lose all 10 wickets for 163 on Day 5 at the MCG and lose by an innings and 18 runs in a thrilling Test #AusvPak pic.twitter.com/Bb26zzgn5R
— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2016
Skipper Steve Smith set the ball rolling for a dramatic victory when he declared Australia’s first innings at 624 for eight just before lunch.
That gave Australia a 181-run lead and a minimum of 70 overs to bowl out Pakistan.
In the end the Australians needed only 53.2 overs to pull off an emphatic victory and, with their 39-run win in the first Gabba Test, to clinch the three-Test series.
Seeing as Pakistan have a knack for pulling defeat from the jaws of safety, Twitter’s reaction was predictably hilarious.
England – “We scored 400 and still lost by an innings.”
Pakistan – “Give us a week”— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) December 30, 2016
Pakistan do the predictable. Play unpredictably.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 30, 2016
Incredible Win for the Aussies … Unfortunately England fans they look like they are back … !!!!!!! #AUSvPAK
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 30, 2016
Scored 443 Runs In 1st Inning Still Lost By Inning And 18 Runs.
Jeet Ke Haarne Waale Ko Pakistan Kehte Hain. #PakvAus #AUSvPAK— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) December 30, 2016
Test sides losing by an inns after making 400+ batting 1st
Aug 1930: EnglandMay 2011: Sri LankaDec 2016: England, England, Pakistan😱😱😱— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 30, 2016
Despite a waste of a whole day’s play due to rain,Pakistan finding new ways to lose..#AusvPak
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) December 30, 2016
I’d like to offer all Pakistan fans a virtual hug. #AUSvPAK
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) December 30, 2016
Pakistan 1st innings: 443/9 (D)
Azhar Ali: 205*Most of the time lost to RainStill Lost by an inningsUnpredictable Level: Pakistan— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) December 30, 2016
Respect for Pakistan they managed to lose an almost washed out test match without Shahzad, Akmal and Afridi. #PakvAus
— ️ (@FarziCricketer) December 30, 2016
The Pakistan fans were, of course, left disappointed by the not-so-unfamiliar situation.
There are tales of unrequited love in sufi poetry that are less depressing than the Pakistan team. They make devdas feel like a fairy tale
— Hassan Cheema (@mediagag) December 30, 2016
But what can we say, when it comes to entertainment — Pakistan are the undisputed champions.
A team that holds your attention for the most audacious run chase now does so for a disspirited effort. Pakistan are box-office!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 30, 2016
With AFP inputs
