Australia pose with the trophy after whitewashing Pakistan 3-0

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

An all-round performance by Australia’s bowling attack was too much for Pakistan to handle as they were thrashed by 220 runs on the final day of the third Test in Sydney.

In addition to the loss, Pakistan were also whitewashed 3-0 as they were beaten by 39 runs in the first Test in Brisbane and by an innings and 18 runs in Melbourne.

This is the fourth consecutive time Pakistan have been whitewashed when visiting Australia, with the streak going back all the way to 1999-2000.

Furthermore, Pakistan lost their sixth straight Test match, which is their worst losing streak in the longest format in history.

Starting off the day on 55/1, Pakistan were unable to add any runs to their overnight score before losing opener Azhar Ali, who was caught and bowled by Josh Hazlewood for 11.

Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals after Azhar was dismissed, including that of veteran batsman Younis Khan, who needed 36 runs to become the first Pakistani batsman to score 10,000 Test runs, but he was unable to accomplish the feat as he was removed by Nathan Lyon for 13.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq kept Australia at bay temporarily with a 40-run partnership before Mitchell Starc made the breakthrough for the hosts by cleaning up Shafiq for 30.

Misbah went on to make 38 before falling to Steve O’Keefe, while Pakistan’s lower order failed to make much of a contribution.

The only player that did have an impact for the tourists was wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, who ended up remaining unbeaten on 72, which came off 70 balls and included eight boundaries and a six, as his side were bowled out for 244.

Hazlewood and O’Keefe picked up three wickets apiece, while Lyon snapped up two and Starc claimed one.

Misbah will disappointed to have lost, but pointed out that there were a lot of positives to take from the three-Test series

“It was a tough series, credit to the Australian side,” he said. “Outplayed us in every department. Utilised the conditions very well. A lot of youngsters in our team performing. That experience will lift them.

“Some good positives. The way we played at the Gabba gave us self-belief. We were really hurt in the MCG, difficult to take, you get demoralised by those sort of defeats. Overall, a lot of positives for Pakistan. A great place to learn a lot as an Asian side.”

Australia skipper Steven Smith, who was named Man of the Series, was delighted to have whitewashed Pakistan, and said: “These last three, that’s what we’re about, we want to score big runs, bowl well, we’ve held our catches. All the bowlers have done a terrific job. A lot of credit to Pakistan, they’ve played some very good cricket this series.”

Australia opening batsman David Warner was named Man of the Match, and said: “A fantastic comeback, it was Hobart that kicked it off. Unfolded into a comprehensive 3-0 whitewash. Always fun to come out in front of your home crowd.”