Nathan Lyon takes four wickets in just six balls
Pakistan lost four wickets for no runs after Nathan Lyon ripped through the top order in the space of six balls on day one of the series-deciding second Test in Abu Dhabi.
The Australian off-spinner put himself on a hat-trick when he ended the 20th over of Pakistan’s innings with the wickets of Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail.
Lyon caught Ali off his own bowling, while Sohail – a centurion in the first Test in Dubai – smashed a delivery into the hands of Travis Head at silly point for a golden duck.
After a maiden over from fellow spinner Jon Holland at the other end, Lyon resumed.
Asad Shafiq defended the first delivery but he sent the very next ball up in the air to be caught by Marnus Labuschagne.
Originally deemed not out by the on-field umpire, Tim Paine risked his last review – having wasted one on a Peter Siddle shout earlier in the innings.
Replays showed the ball was nicked up by an edge, and the celebrations continued two balls later when Lyon bowled Babar Azam for a duck.
The four dismissals moved Lyon past Mitchell Johnson into fourth place on Australia’s list of all-time wicket-takers with 314.
Turning 31 next month, Lyon will have Dennis Lillee (355) in his sights but will likely have to settle for third behind Glenn McGrath (563) and Shane Warne (708).
In the space of those six balls, Pakistan were reduced from 1-57 to 5-57 before reaching lunch on 5-77, with debutant Fakhar Zaman on 49 not out.
Fakhar was lucky to survive on 30 after Marnus Labuschagne grassed a simple chance at midwicket.
The incredible spell had come after Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat, dreaming of an imposing first-innings total.
But there appeared to be plenty on offer for Australia’s bowlers as Mitchell Starc generated significant bounce during his opening spell.
The left-arm paceman stopped Pakistan in their tracks, with some assistance from Labuschagne.
Mohammad Hafeez hit a shot hard to short leg, the ball thundered into the Australian fieldsman’s thigh and bounced off his knee before Labuschagne managed to secure it:
with AAP
