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Australia have defeated Pakistan by 39 runs in the day-night first Test at the Gabba on Monday.
Chasing a world record victory target of 490, Pakistan were bowled out for 450 early on day five despite No.6 Asad Shafiq’s defiant 137.
The scenes to complete the game bordered on comical, though, with Yasir Shah run out for a personal best of 33 by Steve Smith at second slip.
More from Australia vs Pakistan Day 5:
» Cricket scores, commentary
» Full Australia vs Pakistan scorecard
After trying to mow a Mitchell Starc yorker over midwicket, Shah stepped out of his crease and showed no urgency to get back.
The Aussie skipper showed great awareness to throw down the stumps and give Australia the lead in the series.
This followed a brutal short ball from Starc to remove the stubborn Asad Shafiq, who was subsequently awarded the man of the match prize for his fighting 137 in the second innings.
For a time it looked as though Pakistan would pull off the impossible, as Shafiq and Shah combined for a ninth-wicket stand of 71 that put plenty of fear into the Australians.
But two wickets in quick succession put paid to any fears Australian supporters might have had, and the game finished somewhat meekly.
Mitchell Starc took 4-119 in the innings, with Jackson Bird taking three wickets.
For Pakistan in the second innings, Younus Khan made 65, Azhar Ali 71 and Wahab Riaz 48, showing that there’s plenty of fight in the visitors despite a disappointing first innings with the bat and ball.
Australia have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Scores: Pakistan 450 and 142 lost to Australia 429 and 5(dec)-202 by 39 runs.
Man of the moment: Man of the match Asad Shafiq. The defiant Pakistan No.6 picked up where he left off on Sunday to fall just short of leading his side to an unthinkable world record run chase. Tailender Yasir Shah was no slouch either, hitting 33 – his highest Test score – in a 71-run ninth wicket stand that made Australia sweat.
Key moment: Mitchell Starc finally ends Shafiq’s marathon knock. The left-arm quick had Shafiq caught behind, ending his near six hour stand and leaving Pakistan at nine wickets down with 41 runs still to get.
Stat of the day: 450 – Pakistan’s highest fourth innings Test total, eclipsing 382 against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in 2015. If they reached the 490 target it would have set a new world record for the highest Test run chase, eclipsing the West Indies’ 7-418 against Australia in 2003.
Summary: So near, yet so far for Pakistan. The visitors were at one stage 600-1 with bookmakers to win the first Test after a disastrous first innings collapse of 7-24. Yet Pakistan strode to the crease at 8-382 in their second dig on the final day, backing themselves to do just that with 108 more runs to win. Shafiq battled well along with Yasir but when Starc (4-119) finally got his man, the inevitable soon came.
Quote of the day: “I have lost all my fingernails, I think.” – relieved Australian captain Steve Smith on the tense first Test finish.
With AAP
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