Australia maul Pakistan, stay unbeaten at Gabba for 31 years

SYDNEY: Australia duly wrapped up victory over Pakistan by an innings and five runs in the first Test in Brisbane on Sunday but they were forced to wait until late on day four by a magnificent rearguard action from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

The hosts needed only seven wickets on Sunday to ensure they would take a 1-0 lead to Adelaide Oval for the second and final match of the series but Azam’s second Test century and 95 from Rizwan stalled their march to victory.

The pair were finally dislodged after a 132-run partnership and the Australian quicks finished the job with the second new ball, dismissing the last four batsmen for 30 runs to maintain Australia’s 31-year unbeaten run at the Gabba. “Really happy, any time you win a test by over an innings you’ve done a lot right,” said Australia captain Tim Paine. “Really proud of the way we started the innings and to maintain our record at the Gabba is excellent.”

Josh Hazlewood took 4-63 and his fellow quick Mitchell Starc 3-73 but it was off-spinner Nathan Lyon who played the most decisive role in finishing off the tourists. Azam showed the quality many believe will one day make him one of the world’s best batsmen in a superb 173-ball innings, hitting 13 fours including the confident drive that brought him to cricket’s most significant milestone. He was caught behind off Lyon for 104 half an hour before tea - a slightly quicker ball catching the outside edge of his bat and flying through to wicketkeeper Paine

Brief scores: Pakistan 240 & 335 all out in 84.2 ovs (B Azam 104, M Rizwan 95, J Hazlewood 4/63, M Starc 3/73) v Australia 580. Australia won by an innings and five runs.