NEW DELHI: Australia's seasoned off-spinner
Nathan Lyon
remained in a state of awe after achieving the milestone of 500 Test wickets during the team's commanding 360-run victory over Pakistan on Sunday in the first match of the three-game series.
The 35-year-old returned to the Australian Test squad after sustaining an injury during the Ashes earlier in the year.
Stepping onto the Optus Stadium, he was just four wickets away from the remarkable 500-wicket milestone.
In the opening session, Lyon took three wickets, requiring only one more in the second session to reach this historic achievement. Despite the brisk removal of Pakistan batters by Australia's pacers, Lyon's landmark moment came sooner than expected, defying initial expectations that he might have to wait for another Test to secure his 500th Test wicket.
But he achieved the feat and after the game said as quoted from ESPNcricinfo, "I still pinch myself when I see my name next to those guys."
Lyon's 500th Test wicket came in the form of Faheem Ashraf, as a swift delivery in the air outsmarted the pace bowler. Following a successful DRS review, Lyon jubilantly celebrated with his teammates.
Surrounded by his fellow players, Lyon basked in the glory of the moment, receiving a standing ovation from the Perth crowd. This achievement solidified his position as the 8th bowler to reach the remarkable milestone of 500 wickets in Test format.
Coming to the Day 4 action, Australia's experienced pacer
Mitchell Starc
with his quick deliveries, removed both Pakistan openers - Imam-ul-Haq (10) and Abdullah Shafique (2) in the first five overs to put 'Men in Green' on the backfoot.
His partner in crime, Josh Hazlewood, ended skipper Shan Masood's misery by generating some extra bounce with the new ball, which made it hard for the left-hander to play the angled delivery.
Australia skipper
Pat Cummins
sent former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam back to the dugout for 14 and after that, it seemed wickets were just a ball away.
The Pakistani middle order crumbled like a house of cards with
Saud Shakeel
showing some fight to keep the house intact. He fought for some time but eventually got trapped by Hazlewood, right in front of the stumps.
Nathan Lyon joined the wicket fest and picked up two as well to join the elite club of 500 Test wicket-takers. Hazlewood removed Khurram Shahzad to clinch a thumping 360-run victory by restricting Pakistan to a score of 89 with an all-rounded performance.
(With ANI Inputs)
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