Australia’s eight-wicket victory seals Test series sweep over Pakistan - GulfToday

Australia’s eight-wicket victory seals Test series sweep over Pakistan

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Australiaís David Warner (left) celebrates a catch to dismiss Pakistanís Mohammad Rizwan on Saturday. AFP

David Warner went out the way he began with a rumbustious innings to guide Australia to an eight-wicket victory and seal a 3-0 Test series sweep over Pakistan in Sydney on Saturday.

Playing in his 112th and final Test, Warner was dismissed for 57 — just 11 runs from finishing off the job — and left the Sydney Cricket Ground arena before an adoring home crowd.

It was Australia's 17th consecutive Test win against Pakistan after securing the current series in Melbourne over Christmas.

"I love the way the boys performed. It has been a great start to the (southern) summer for us," said skipper Pat Cummins, who was named man of the series for his 19 wickets at an average of 12.

"The boys found a way to get us back into the contest whenever we were on the back foot."

Australia had an early setback when Warner's childhood friend and fellow opener Usman Khawaja was out in the second over, lbw to Sajid for a duck.

Pakistan go home on the end of yet another defeat in Australia, but there were some positives.

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Pakistan’s Sajid Khan (left) celebrates the wicket of Australia’s Usman Khawaja (centre) on Saturday . AFP

Aamer Jamal was announced as player of the match for his all-round performance of 82 in the first innings and 6-69 in Australia's first innings.

"It's been so long to get here (his Test debut)," Jamal said.

"I was over the moon, performing in front of this great (Australian) side wasn't easy, but I stuck to my discipline and I loved every moment."

Mohammad Rizwan and Jamal had defied the Australian attack for almost the first hour of the fourth day, adding 41 runs to the overnight score before Nathan Lyon struck.

Lyon switched to bowling around the wicket and Rizwan played across the line, edging a catch to Warner -- who else -- at leg slip for 28.

Jamal followed three balls later in Cummins' next over, top-edging a pull shot straight to Travis Head at deep backward square leg for 18.

The end of the innings came three overs later when Lyon bowled Hasan Ali for five. Lyon finished with three for 36 and has 509 Test wickets.

Agence France-Presse



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