Australian spin maestro Nathan Lyon inched closer to the prestigious 500-wicket club during the second day of the opening Test in Perth, as Pakistan resiliently stayed in contention at the Perth Cricket Stadium on Friday.
At the close of play, the visitors were 132-2, trailing by 355 runs. Imam-ul-Haq held his ground at 38, not out, supported by nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad at seven, following the late dismissal of skipper Shan Masood.
The battle unfolded slowly, with Pakistan's runs accumulating over 53 overs, courtesy of Aamer Jamal's debut heroics, claiming 6-111 to dismiss the hosts for 487. Mitchell Marsh played a pivotal role with a score of 90, complementing David Warner's defiant 164 on day one.
Responding to Australia's innings, Abdullah Shafique fell victim to Lyon, who secured his 497th Test wicket on the journey to the illustrious 500-wicket milestone, a feat achieved by only seven other players.
Imam-ul-Haq showcased resilience against the relentless bowling onslaught from Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins on a lively pitch. It took him 85 deliveries to register his first boundary, steering one finely off his hip. Skipper Shan Masood contributed 30 runs before being caught behind by Alex Carey off Starc just 10 minutes before the close.
The visitors kept their hopes alive for a historic Test win in Australia, last achieved in 1995, by dismissing the hosts early in the second session. Marsh's dismissal for 90 on the first ball back marked the beginning of a swift collapse in the tail, with debutant speedster Aamer Jamal making significant contributions.
Australia, resuming at 346-5 after a dominant opening day, faced an eager Pakistan side looking for an early breakthrough. On a scorching day, Marsh, Australia's T20 captain, showcased his prowess with consecutive boundaries. However, Shahzad shattered his hopes after lunch, dismissing him as he attempted a big drive.
Jamal's impact continued as he swiftly removed Cummins and Lyon, both caught by Agha Salman. Wicketkeeper-batsman Carey, aiming to solidify his Test spot, fell victim to Jamal, concluding a promising 90-run partnership with Marsh.
In a testament to Jamal's skill, he also claimed Starc's wicket, reinforcing Pakistan's position in the contest.
