Australia v Pakistan 2023/24

Watch: ’Elite company’ – Nathan Lyon traps Faheem Ashraf lbw for 500th Test wicket

by Wisden Staff December 17, 2023 - 8:24am 2 minute read

Watch: Nathan Lyon picked up his 500th Test wicket by trapping Faheem Ashraf in front on day four of the first Australia vs Pakistan Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth today (December 17).

Australia set Pakistan a massive target of 450 on day four after declaring on 233-5. Mitchell Marsh remained unbeaten after a quickfire half-century while Usman Khawaja‘s dismissal on 90 signalled the close of Australia’s innings.

Pakistan didn’t put up a fight in response. Mitchell Starc removed Abdullah Shafique in the first over. Two more wickets fell inside the first ten overs as the visitors were reduced to 19-3. Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel stitched a mini-partnership for the fourth wicket, adding 29 before the former was caught behind off Pat Cummins.

Lyon, who had been sitting on 499 wickets, came into the attack in the 12th over and got his prized scalp in the 28th when he got Faheem Ashraf to play the wrong line.

Bowling from round the wicket, Lyon pitched the ball on a good length on middle and off and got it to straight through with the arm, beating Ashraf’s inside edge and crashing into his pads. The on-field umpire signalled not out, and the Australians went up for a review. Ball tracking showed three reds and Lyon had his 500th Test wicket.

“He joins elite company,” said the commentator on air, as Lyon became the third Australian, fourth spinner, and eighth bowler overall to take 500 wickets in Test matches.

He dismissed Aamer Jamal four balls later to take his second wicket of the innings as Australia bowled Pakistan out for 89, winning the Test by 360 runs.