Test match between Pakistan and Australia: Saud Shakeel hits a landmark innings in Perth
In the second innings of Pakistan's first Test against Australia at Perth Stadium, middle-order batsman Saud Shakeel made history by setting a record. Playing in his eighth Test match, Shakeel became the first batter in the history of red-ball cricket to score at least 20 runs in each of his first 15 innings.
This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous record held by West Indian cricketer Everton Weekes, who scored 20 runs in his 14 consecutive innings. Saud Shakeel is now just one innings away from equaling the record set by Australia's Colin McDonald, who posted at least 10 runs in his first 16 Test innings.
Despite Shakeel's record-breaking performance, Pakistan faced a significant collapse during their pursuit of the challenging 450-run target. Losing half of their wickets before reaching 80 runs as a team, they struggled against the formidable Australian pace attack led by Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood.
Captain Shan Masood, leading in his debut Test, fell early, nicking one to Carey off Josh Hazlewood for two, leaving the team in a precarious situation at 17-2. Starc continued to trouble the batting side, dismissing Imam-ul-Haq lbw for 10 before Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel provided brief resistance. However, Azam's dismissal on 14, caught by Carey off Cummins, left Shakeel on 10 and Sarfaraz Ahmed on one at the break.
Earlier in the day, Australia declared at 233-5 in their second innings on day four, following Pakistan's all-out total of 271. Captain Pat Cummins decided after opener Usman Khawaja departed for a resilient 90, forming a 126-run partnership with Mitchell Marsh. Despite dismissing Steve Smith and Travis Head early in the day, Pakistan's hopes were short-lived.
