Australia vs Pakistan: Pat Cummins stars with the ball as Aussies clinch series with 79-run win in second Test

Melbourne: Captain Pat Cummins’ second 10-wicket haul in Test matches led Australia to a 79-run win over Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the fourth day of the second cricket Test.

Cummins made all the crucial breakthroughs late on Friday as the hosts bowled Pakistan out for 237 to win the Boxing Day test and extend Pakistan’s losing run in Australian tests to 16 matches.

Pakistan lost 5-18 during a chaotic finish to the fourth day as Australia took the extra 30 minutes after the scheduled stumps to complete the victory. Pakistan went to lunch at 25-1 earlier Friday after having to bat for nine overs before the break.

Australia was out for 262 in its second innings after losing 4-75 during the morning. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey (53) helped push Australia’s lead over the crucial 300-mark with his highest score since the first test of the Ashes in June.

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi (4-76) made a return to form with his best figures of the series, while fellow left-armer Mir Hamza added 4-32.

Australia won the first Test in Perth by 360 runs.

The third Test in the three-match series is scheduled to begin Jan. 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Pakistan won its last test in Australia in 1995.