Home
Australia got the better of Pakistan by 360 runs on Day 4 of the opening Test at Perth's Optus Stadium on December 17, Sunday. Winning the toss, Australia chose to bat, amassing a formidable total of 487 runs. David Warner played a pivotal role, smashing an impressive 164 runs to lay the foundation for the team. Mitchell Marsh, batting in the middle order, scored briskly but fell short of a century as he left stranded at the score of 90. Contributions from Travis Head (40), Steve Smith (31), and Alex Carey (34) also bolstered Australia's score. For Pakistan, debutant Aamer Jamal stood out with a five-wicket haul.
Follow the Sports Tak channel on WhatsApp
Pakistan got off to a good start in their first innings, thanks to Abdullah Shafique (42) and Imam-ul-Haq (62), who handled the early challenges effectively. Captain Shan Masood added 30 runs, but following his wicket, Pakistan's innings faltered, leading to their dismissal for 271 runs.
In their second innings, Australia extended their lead by adding 233 runs. Usman Khawaja led with 90 runs, and Steve Smith contributed a crucial 45 runs. The Australian bowlers then overwhelmed the Pakistani batters, who struggled against the potent pace attack, ultimately collapsing for just 89 runs.
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood wreaked havoc with the new ball, each taking three wickets, while captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon also contributed. Australia's comprehensive victory by 360 runs gave them a 1-0 lead in the series. The next match, a Boxing Day game, is scheduled for December 26th at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With this Pakistan continued their losing streak as they have lost all the 15 matches they have played on Australian soil.
Big blow to Pakistan in WTC points table
Following the match between Australia and Pakistan in Perth, there was a shuffle in the ICC World Test Championship standings. India overtook Pakistan to claim the top position. Although both teams have identical winning percentages, the team led by Rohit Sharma is ahead based on points.
New Zealand continue to hold the third position in the rankings, with Bangladesh right behind them. Australia's significant victory over Pakistan propelled them to the fifth spot. The West Indies are currently ranked sixth, followed by England, Sri Lanka, and South Africa in the standings.
| POS | TEAM | PCT (%) | PTS | Win | Loss | Draw |
| 1 | INDIA | 66.67 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | PAKISTAN | 66.67 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | NEW ZEALAND | 50 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | BANGLADESH | 50 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | AUSTRALIA | 41.67 | 30 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 6 | WEST INDIES | 16.67 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | ENGLAND | 15 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 8 | SRI LANKA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | SOUTH AFRICA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
EXPLAINED: Why South African players will be sporting pink jersey in 1st ODI against India?
SA vs IND 1st ODI, Weather Report: Will rain play spoilsport in Johannesburg; check here
SA vs IND 1st ODI, Live Streaming: When and where to watch South Africa vs India match; check details
