AUS vs PAK | Twitter and Perth boo World Cup hero Head's success for denying Lyon elusive 500th scalp

12/16/2023

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Few crowds can conjure the audacity to boo a national hero who a month ago wrote his name in the history books but Australia has never been known for shying away from emoting. The Optus Stadium echoed with boos after Travis Head wrapped up Pakistan's tail, leaving Nathan Lyon hanging on 499 wickets.

‌Pakistan's gritty resilience on Day 2 of the opening Test match against Australia quickly gave away in the face of a threatening attack as the side collapsed to 271 all-out thus conceding a 216-run first-innings lead. Nathan Lyon yet again played a starring role as he triggered the premature demise by ending Imam-ul-Haq's 199-ball stay after having broken through the previous day as well by getting rid of Abdullah Shafique. The two scalps meant the off-spinner needed just a couple of victims amongst the tailenders to get to the alluring milestone of 500 Test wickets and when Aamer Jamal became his third victim, the feat seemed inevitable. However, the Perth crowd was cruelly denied the legend's crowning moment and made their feelings known accordingly.

Lyon patiently worked the last surviving pair of Shaheen Afridi and Salman Agha Ali when Pat Cummins brought on part-timer Travis Head to bowl in tandem with the 36-year-old. As luck would have it, Afridi's risks against Lyon in the 101st overpaid off with two boundaries but met their fated undoing in the ensuing over as a shabby pull took the top edge and rose high into the morning sky. Usman Khawaja stationed himself perfectly under the sun to hold onto the Kookaburra at mid-on and while one would expect the confirmation of a huge first-innings advantage to be met with a loud cheer, the Optus Stadium instead broke out into an echoing jeer given they would have to potentially wait another day or two to witness Lyon's highlight moment.

Twitterati was quick to join in with the light-hearted criticism and took to social media to express their fristration.

Crowd didn't like the wicket!

pic.twitter.com/CDLdisAlo5
— Virat Sharma (@ViratSharm39743) December 16, 2023

LOL

Hahahahahaha the crowd booing Head getting that wicket 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 turns out they don't just boo at the Footy
— Stacey❤💙🏆 (@_Stacey1987) December 16, 2023

1 away from history

Rapid glovework from Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon now has 499 Test wickets!#CleanHands | #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/ft6aVewg8k
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2023

Don't know

This wasn't the last chance Nathan Lyon was going to get to 500 so not sure why people are so upset
— Joshy (@the_joshy_boy) December 16, 2023

Surely

Surely Nathan Lyon is hoping for no wickets in the 2nd dig at roll into Boxing Day on 499#AUSvPAK #AUSvsPAK
— Tom (@Bagggers95) December 16, 2023

All out

Pakistan all out in the first inning on 271 trailing by 216 runs. Pakistan played like they are going for a draw in first inning. Conceding runs were never a problem for Australian bowlers because Pakistan weren't looking to score runs. Also, Nathan Lyon is on 499 test wickets 👀
— ❄ (@narayan46323) December 16, 2023

GOAT!!

Most test wickets for Australia :-

Shane Warne - 708

Glenn McGrath - 563

Nathan Lyon - 499*

THE GOAT 🐐 pic.twitter.com/HiP1agPsTo
— JustMyThoughts (@shaibal_27) December 16, 2023

True

NATHAN LYON WILL TROUBLE PAKISTAN MORE IN SECOND INNINGS #PAKvsAUS pic.twitter.com/r28NcdTQ06
— 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝘇𝘆4ℂℝ𝕀ℂ🏏 (@CricCrazyBro) December 16, 2023

Superb

Nathan Lyon what a bowler. koi Yaqeen nahi kari ga 500 wickets leni k yee 1 wicket k zarorat.

chop chaap aya nahi koi shor na koi tiktok na koi tweet. aur araam se 500 ka milestone hasil kiya.

hamri ha T20 K 1.2 performance Hero bana diya jata hai

aur T20 K khatir test chorty hai
— Dr. Rihab khan (@DrRihabOfficial) December 16, 2023

Is he