[Watch] Pakistan Speedster Stuns Australia With Big Wicket Of Steve Smith
Shahzad dismissed Steve Smith (screengrab)
After an impressive burst in the first-innings of his debut Test in Perth, Pakistan right-arm pacer Khurram Shahzad continued his ascent with a terrific spell in the second half of the series opener against hosts Australia.
The tall quick, who used his high-arm release to fine effect in the first half with figures of 2 for 83, Shahzad dismissed the esteemed Aussie trio of David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith in the third-innings on Day 4.
While he would've been happy to get rid of Warner and Labuschagne, it is the prized scalp of modern-day legend Smith which would've warmed Shahzad's heart the most. The young speedster dismissed arguably the finest Test batter of the current era on a forward defensive shot on 45.
Khurram Shahzad Dismisses Steve Smith
Running in hard with the old ball in the 37th over of the Australian second-innings, Shahzad got one to tail back into a well-set Smith and forced the great right-hand batter to miss the incoming delivery on a defensive prod. He hit him halfway on the up and immediately rose up in appeal for the LBW.
As the standing umpire obliged to the seamer's wish, he stood jubilant upon dismissing one of the world's finest players. Smith, however, wasn't as convinced about the on-field call and called for the Decision Review System (DRS).
Once the finger was raised in the middle, the only doubt in the matter was the height on a spongy Perth surface which could've saved Smith. But there was no reprieve for the Aussie stalwart as he was done in by a whisker on top of the middle-stump as shown by the hawkeye predicted path.
Smith couldn't believe his bad fortune as it was by millimeters he failed to revert the on-field call while Shahzad was the happiest person on the field for having gone past the defence of the world's mightiest Test batter.
 "Kashish Chadha")
