The second Test between Pakistan and Australia went underway in Abu Dhabi with Pakistan choosing to bat first after winning the toss.
Mitchell Starc struck first with Marnus Labuschagne taking a blinder of a catch off Mohammad Hafeez. When Fakhar Zaman, on his debut and Azhar Ali were looking like rebuilding the Pakistan innings with a 52-run stand, Tim Paine turned to his star spinner Nathan Lyon and he immediately struck with wickets of Ali and Sohail in the 19th over.
He then came back to dismiss Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam in his next over for ducks, picking four wickets in just 6 balls to jolt Pakistan.
Twitter was left in amazement of Lyon’s guile and applauded in tweets and we have collated some of the finest for you.
Check them out:
Congratulations to my “little bro” @NathLyon421 on passing me on 313 test wickets for Australia. Bloody proud of your achievements so far and I have enjoyed your success. Well deserved and… https://t.co/tDzWRYGs38
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) October 16, 2018
What a spell from Nathan Lyon. The fact that he now becomes the 4th highest wicket taker for Australia in Tests speaks so much about how he goes about his job quietly. Only Warne, McGrath, Lillee have taken more wkts for Australia. #PAKvAUS
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) October 16, 2018
It's not often we see a spinner claiming these many wickets before lunch on the opening day of a Test match.
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) October 16, 2018
Nathan Lyon 4/12 at Abu Dhabi. #PAKvAUS
How this game has changed hands in 10 mnts of poor batting by Pak against spin..nervousness and hard hands at the ball..Pak has made spin ends at both sides of the pitch to set up Aus against spin and it appears as if they have fallen for the trap themselves!!!
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) October 16, 2018
Good old fashioned Off spin,Love seeing traditional high quality bowling... @NathLyon421 is top class .!! @FoxCricket #PAKvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 16, 2018
Not quite a Hattrick for Nath Lyon but still some kind of Trick he has 3 wickets in 4 balls ???? ????
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) October 16, 2018
Pak 4/57#ShouldBeANameForIt#PakVAus
Well done @NathLyon421 on knocking me off my perch 311, 312............May there be many more test wickets coming your way buddy @FoxCricket @FOXCricketLive @FOXSportsAUS @cricketcomau
— Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) October 16, 2018