Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon picked two wickets in his team’s massive 360-run win in the first Test against Pakistan which was played in Perth on December 17, 2023 and also completed his 500 wickets in Test cricket.
Set 450 to win, Pakistan were bundled out for just 89 runs on the fourth day itself. Saud Shakeel (24), Babar Azam (14) and Imam Ul Haq (10) were the only ones to reach double-figures in the poor Pakistan innings. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood picked three wickets each, while Lyon took 2/14.
Nathan Lyon trapped Faheem Ashraf in front of the stumps and appealed for LBW in the 28th over. The on-field umpire didn’t seem interested, but Australia opted for DRS and the replays showed that Ashraf was out.
Lyon became the first Australian off-spinner to 500 Test wickets, in his 123rd match. Among Australia, Lyon is only the third cricketer to reach the milestone, with the icons like Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563) being the other two.
Here is the moment Lyon picked his 500th Test wicket:
His contemporary, Indian off-spinner R Ashwin lauded Lyon on X. Ashwin, himself is on the verge of taking 500 Test wickets, having picked 489 scalps in 94 Tests.
“8th bowler and only the 2nd off spinner in history to pick 500 test wickets. @NathLyon421 congrats mate,” R Ashwin posted.
