Not for nothing have the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) picked up Mitchell Starc for an unprecedentedly hefty price tag at the Indian Premier League mini-auction. KKR snapped up Starc for a record-breaking INR 24.75 crore at the player auction in Dubai, ahead of IPL 2024. (More Cricket News)
While many were left wondering the reasons behind the astronomical price, Starc has now showed a glimpse of what he can offer in the marquee T20 league. The star Australia left-arm seamer produced a ripping in-swinger to uproot Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique during the third Test being played in Sydney.
Starc bowled a thunderbolt of a delivery that would have delighted KKR fans, in anticipation of what the lanky pacer can do when playing for their franchise. On the last ball of the first over of Pakistan’s second innings, Starc sent down a fullish ball at 143.5kph around off stump, which jagged back in after pitching.
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The ball beat Shafique all ends up, leaving him helpless as his stumps were shattered. The dismissal rocked Pakistan early and led to Australia taking the driver's seat by stumps. You can watch the video of the incredible delivery below.
The Test match saw a dramatic last session on the third day. Despite losing their last five wickets for just 10 runs, Australia wrested control of the match by taking seven PAK wickets for just 68 runs. At the end of Day 3, the visitors lead by 82 runs with only three wickets in hand.
Earlier, fast bowler Aamir Jamal took six wickets to help Pakistan take a slender first-innings lead over Australia. Jamal was instrumental in Australia losing their lower order cheaply to be all out for 299, trailing Pakistan by 14 runs.
