Australia crush Pakistan at MCG, clinch Test series

Melbourne: Skipper Steve Smith led from the front by remaining unbeaten before bowlers came to the fore as Australia crushed Pakistan by an innings and 18 runs in the second Test to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground ( MCG) here on Friday.

Resuming at the overnight score of 456-6, Smith produced `Man of the Match performance` as he struck 13 boundaries and one six in his unbeaten 165-run knock besides sharing a huge 154-run partnership for seventh wicket with Mitchell Starc (84).

Australia eventually declared their first innings at 624-8, thus taking a lead of 181 runs. The hosts' first innings also saw opener David Warner and first drop Usman Khawaja contribute significant 144 and 97 runs, respectively.

Subsequently, Mitchell Starc clinched a figure of four for 36 as Pakistan were bundled out for mere 163 runs in their second innings.

Opener Azhar Ali (43) and Sarfraz Ahmed (43) were the notable contributors.

For Australia, Nathan Lyon also bagged three wickets while Josh Hazlewood pulled off two wickets. Jackson Bird also chipped in with a wicket.

Smith's side, who won the opening Test by 39 runs, will play the dead-rubber third and the final match against Pakistan from January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).