Shaheen Shah Afridi spearheaded Pakistan’s pace attack with a disciplined and impactful spell, finishing Day 1 with figures of 3/61 as Australia reached 289/7 on a lively surface at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. On a pitch offering consistent pace, bounce, and movement, Shaheen’s performance set the tone for Pakistan’s bowling effort and ensured the contest remained evenly balanced after the opening day of the Boxing Day Test.
From his very first over, Shaheen looked threatening. Bowling with rhythm and control, he consistently hit a testing length that forced Australian batters to make decisions on every delivery. The new ball responded well to his approach, shaping away from right-handers and occasionally jagging back in sharply, creating uncertainty in the batting lineup.
Shaheen struck early, removing a key top-order batter and immediately validating Pakistan’s intensity after Australia opted to bat first. The wicket was a reward for persistence rather than raw pace alone, with Shaheen maintaining a tight channel outside off stump and allowing the conditions to do the work. That breakthrough put Australia on the back foot and gave Pakistan early momentum.
What stood out throughout Shaheen’s spell was his ability to combine aggression with discipline. Even when wickets did not come immediately, he built pressure through dot balls and forced batters into defensive modes. Runs were hard-earned, and Australian batters were rarely allowed to settle into comfortable rhythms while Shaheen was in operation.
His second wicket came during a crucial phase when Australia were attempting to rebuild after early losses. Reading the situation well, Shaheen adjusted his length slightly, drawing the batter forward before finding just enough movement to induce an edge. The dismissal halted a developing partnership and prevented Australia from seizing control during the middle session.
As the day progressed and the ball softened, Shaheen continued to lead by example. While batting conditions improved marginally, he maintained intensity, extracting bounce from a back-of-a-length area and mixing in fuller deliveries to keep batters guessing. His third wicket, claimed later in the innings, once again arrived at an important moment, ensuring Australia could not fully capitalise on periods of stability.
Beyond the wickets, Shaheen’s economy rate was a key factor in Pakistan’s overall effort. Conceding 61 runs across long spells, he ensured that Australia’s scoring remained in check, forcing them to take risks against other bowlers. His presence allowed Pakistan’s captain to rotate the attack effectively while keeping constant pressure from one end.
Shaheen’s performance also lifted the energy in the field. Fielders responded to his intensity, backing him up with sharp catching and athletic stops. That collective effort amplified the impact of his spell and reflected Pakistan’s commitment to challenging Australia in their own conditions.
By stumps, Shaheen Afridi had clearly emerged as the standout bowler of the day. While Australia managed to recover to a competitive total, Pakistan will take confidence from the fact that their pace leader consistently troubled the batters. With one day of hard work already behind him, Shaheen’s role will remain crucial as Pakistan look to wrap up the innings quickly and carry momentum into their own batting effort on Day 2.
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