On Day 3 of the New Year’s Test at Sydney Cricket Ground, Pakistan fought against the odds, securing a 14-run first-innings lead thanks to Aamer Jamal’s exceptional six-wicket performance.
Leading tangibly for the first time on the tour and eyeing their first Test victory Down Under in 28 years, the Men in Green found themselves facing the reasons behind their prolonged drought as Australia struck back brilliantly to regain the advantage.
Mitchell Starc, wielding the new ball, commenced the second innings and kept Abdullah Shafique quiet for the first five deliveries. The over concluded with a delivery angled wide of the batsman from over the wicket. However, to everyone’s surprise, the Kookaburra moved sharply in the air, landed on off-stump, then curved back to sneak through the bat-pad gap, dislodging the bails.
Starc erupted in his trademark celebration while Shafique stared at the pitch, astonished by the audacious movement of the left-arm quick. This dismissal marked Shafique’s second fall to Starc in the match, resulting in his first pair in Test cricket.
PEACH! 🍑
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2024
Mitch Starc does it again! pic.twitter.com/9OQ1bTeO1G
The crowd, dressed in pink, rose collectively in jubilation, mirroring the enthusiastic acclaim flooding Twitter for the veteran pacer’s remarkable performance.