Pakistan Stun Australia in Karachi Test — First Win on Home Soil in 3 Years

Pakistan's Roar Returns

The National Stadium in Karachi erupted. Pakistan cricket, battered by controversy and inconsistency over recent years, delivered one of its most complete Test performances in memory to defeat a full-strength Australia side by 178 runs — their first home Test win in three years.

The scenes at the final wicket — Shaheen Afridi clean bowling Josh Hazlewood to complete the innings — were captured around the world. Pakistan players mobbed their captain Babar Azam, who stood in the middle of the pitch with tears running freely down his face.

Shaheen and Naseem: The Pace Twin Terrors

Shaheen Shah Afridi (8/89 across two innings) and Naseem Shah (7/103) formed the most destructive pace partnership Pakistan has produced since Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in their pomp. On a flat Karachi pitch, their ability to swing the ball both ways under the lights made them near-unplayable.

Babar's Redemption

Babar Azam's 143 in Pakistan's first innings — his first Test century in 14 months — silenced critics who had questioned his form and his captaincy. Batting with the fluency and authority that had once made him the No.1 ranked Test batter, Babar looked like a man reborn.