BRISBANE: Australia clinched a nervous 39-run win over Pakistan in the first test match at Brisbane on Monday, ARY News reported.
Pakistan fell 39 runs short of a famous victory as the South Asians were bowled out after scoring 450 runs in their second innings, the highest runs scored in fourth innings at Brisbane. Asad Shafiq was the stand-out performer for the visitors who returned to form and made 137 runs for Pakistan.
Azhar Ali made 71 runs for the team and veteran Younis Khan hit 65 runs. Tailenders Mohammad Amir and Yasir Shah also chipped in with 48 and 33 runs respectively for the visitors.
Earlier, Australia, choosing to bat, scored 429 runs in their first innings as skipper Steve Smith leading from the front made 130 runs whereas debutante Peter Handscomb also scored 105 runs. Matt Renshaw contributed 71 runs with the blade as well.
Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz got four wickets each for Pakistan whereas leg spinner Yasir Shah dismissed two Aussie batsmen as well.
Pakistan were bowled out for paltry 142 runs in their first innings. Sarfraz Ahmed was the top scorer with 59 runs whereas Sami Aslam and Mohammad Amir made 22 and 21 runs with the bat respectively.
Aussie pacers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird dismissed three Pakistani batsmen each.
Australia declared after scoring 202/5 in their second innings, setting a mammoth target of 490 runs for Pakistan to win the match. Usman Khawaja scored 74 and Steve Smith 63 runs respectively.
Rahat Ali grabbed two wickets while Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah and Wahab Riaz got a wicket each.
The home side succeed to achieve a nervous victory as the visitors fell 39 runs short of victory while chasing an unlikely target and were bowled out after scoring 450 runs- the record fourth innings score at the stadium. Middle order batsman Asad Shafiq was declared the man of the match for his stand-out performance by scoring 137 runs under the pressure.
Australia lead the three-match test series by 1-0. The second game will be played at Melbourne from 26th December till 30th December.
