Pakistan fast bowler Aamer Jamal marked his debut by taking six wickets, playing a key role in bowling out Australia for 487 shortly after the lunch break on day 2 of the opening Test at Perth Stadium.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh fell short of his fourth Test century, bowled on 90 by Khurram Shahzad in the first delivery after lunch. The Australian team could only manage to add 11 runs post-lunch, finishing at 476-7.
Pakistan, opting not to include a specialist spinner, handed a debut to the 27-year-old Jamal, who claimed impressive figures of 6-111. Jamal celebrated passionately, kissing the stadium turf after securing his fifth wicket. Acknowledged by warm applause from the crowd, he raised the ball while walking off with his teammates, ending Australia's innings.
Jamal's performance represented a historic moment as the first instance of an overseas player taking five wickets on debut in Australia since Abid Ali of India achieved a similar feat with figures of 6-55 at Adelaide Oval in 1967.
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During the first day of the three-match series on December 14, David Warner played a commanding innings, scoring 164 off 211 balls in his farewell test series. Australia, under the captaincy of Pat Cummins, had opted to bat first on a challenging, bouncy pitch. Warner's first test century in a year validated this decision as they reached a total of 346-5.
“People make comments but you get on with it and you know you've got to go out there and score runs, and today I did that.” Warner said on December 14.
“If people are out to get you or make a headline from your name, then so be it. I can't worry about that. I've got to worry about what I've got to do for the team — keep scoring runs and putting the team in a great position.”
The 37-year-old Warner, set to retire after the upcoming final test in his Sydney hometown early next month, posed a formidable challenge for Pakistan in the initial two sessions before being caught out at deep square leg in the last hour. During his innings, he struck 16 fours and four sixes.
Since his double hundred against South Africa in Melbourne last year, Warner had faced a lean period in test cricket. Criticism from former Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson intensified in the days leading up to the first test, asserting that Warner had become a liability to the team and didn't merit an illustrious farewell in his retirement from test cricket.
Australia hold the title of world test champion. Pakistan have not secured a test match victory in Australia since 1995.
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