1st Test Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat in what was tipped to be a pitch that would gradually deteriorate.
Mitchell Johnson and
Peter Siddle removed the Pakistani openers,
Mohammad Hafeez (0) and
Ahmed Shehzad (3), in the first few overs. However, Pakistan steadied to end the day at 219/4 with
Younus Khan hitting 106 off 223 balls. Mitchell Johnson did the bulk of the damage with an
economical 3/22 off 20 overs on a slow and attritional day. On the second day, Pakistan slowly began to accelerate with
Sarfraz Ahmed (109) scoring his second century in Tests at over a-run-a-ball. Australia's reply began well with
David Warner reaching his fifty. They ended the day at a solid 113/0. Australia began their innings slowly on day three and struggled against Pakistan's inexperienced bowling attack, getting bowled out for 303, with debutant
Yasir Shah (3/66) the pick of the bowlers while David Warner scored completed his century (133). The match was called off due to bad light at the end of the day with 2 overs remaining. Australian debutant
Stephen O'Keefe took the early wicket of
Azhar Ali (30) early on day 4. But Pakistan dominated and eventually declared their innings at 286/2. Australia's second innings began well, but the spinners took quick wickets to leave Australia in trouble at 59/4 at the end of day 4. Australia lost 3 wickets in the first session with
Zulfiqar Babar doing most of the damage on day five. Australia managed to grind their way to the final session but succumbed to a 221 run defeat. He took his maiden five-wicket haul in the second Australian innings. Johnson (61) and
Steve Smith (55) were Australia's top scorers. Khan's twin centuries in the match earned him the
man of the match award.
2nd Test record set in 1986. He was dropped by Peter Siddle on his second ball. Pakistan opted to have an unchanged team after they won the toss and decided to bat. Australia made two changes, with
Alex Doolan replaced by
Glenn Maxwell for his third test and
Stephen O'Keefe replaced by
Mitchell Starc. On another flat deck Pakistan made excellent progress with only two wickets, those of the openers Ahmed Shehzad (35) and
Mohammad Hafeez (45), falling on day 1. At stumps, they were 304/2, with
Younus Khan (111*) scoring his third consecutive century, and
Azhar Ali (101*) was the other centurion.
Mitchell Johnson (1/50) and
Nathan Lyon (1/86) both took a wicket each. Due to bad light, play was suspended with 2 overs still to be bowled.
Michael Clarke's unusual field positions, particularly placing Johnson at straight hit (behind the beginning of the bowler's run-up) were criticized by some commentators as not being in the "spirit of the game". Within the first hour of the second day Australia finally struck with Starc taking the wicket of Azhar (109) caught by replacement wicket-keeper
David Warner after
Brad Haddin injured his right shoulder in a catching attempt. Pakistan continued to subdue the Australians finishing at 405/3 at lunch on an extended first session. Pakistan continued to pile on the runs in the second session with Younus reaching his double century and captain
Misbah-ul-Haq (101) getting his century. Pakistan made accelerated in the third session, scoring some quick runs before declaring at a massive 570/6. Starc was the top wicket-taker with 2/86 (27 overs). Australia had to negotiate 5.2 overs before bad light stopped play, ending the day at 22/1. Most of Australia's batsmen started well but they lost wickets at regular intervals on day 3 before finishing at a modest 261 all out just after tea.
Mitchell Marsh top scored for Australia with 87. All of the Pakistani bowlers took wickets with
Imran Khan (3/60) taking the most wickets. Pakistan led by 307 runs, but did not enforce the follow-on. Johnson removed the openers early in the innings and Pakistan finished at 61/2 before bad light once again stopped play. Pakistan continued their dominance in the first session of day 4 scoring 149 runs with the loss of one wicket, that of Younus (46). Misbah smashed a 21 ball fifty that broke the record for the fastest fifty in Test cricket beating
Jacques Kallis's 24 ball effort. After lunch, Maxwell took over the wicket-keeping role while Misbah (101*) equaled the fastest century in Tests with
Sir Vivian Richards, coming from 56 deliveries. Azhar (100*) also completed his ton shortly after and Pakistan declared.
Zulfiqar Babar took two Australian wickets before tea, those of
Chris Rogers (2) and Maxwell (4). Pakistan took three more wickets before the close of play, with
Steve Smith (38*) and Marsh (26*) still at the crease. Smith and Marsh extended their partnership in the first session on day 5 until Marsh was caught at leg slip for 47. Smith continued to bat steadily as Australia reached 238/5 at lunch. But Smith was sent lbw by
Yasir Shah for 97 second ball after lunch and Australia collapsed, losing their final five wickets just for eight runs. Pakistan won the series 2–0, their first series win against Australia since 1994. Zulfiqar was the best of the bowlers, taking his second five-wicket haul of the series (5/120 of 32.2 overs). Misbah was awarded the
man of the match for his record-breaking century. ==References==