MELBOURNE: Pakistan lost seven wickets on the last day of the Boxing Day Test match to hand Australia a 170-run victory and 1-0 lead in the three-match series on Wednesday.

The positive intent shown by Pakistan’s batting line-up on the previous day was replaced by reckless shot-selection in the morning of the final day as Australia’s under-pressure spin bowler Nathan Hauritz claimed his first five-wicket haul.

Starting the day on 170-3, Pakistan lost two wickets on consecutive deliveries in the first over of the day by Mitchell Johnson when Umar Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq were dismissed in similar fashion, caught-behind. Kamran Akmal, however, denied Johnson a hat-trick and went on to support his captain for another 15 overs before he was stumped off Hauritz trying to launch one into the stands.

Mohammad Aamer, who came in next, then provided a hat-trick opportunity to Hauritz when he was caught at leg-slip on his first ball. It was Abdur Rauf this time to deny another Australian hat-trick when he survived the over, only to be dismissed in the next by Doug Bollinger. Yousuf, meanwhile, reached his 32nd Test half-century, fending off the Australian attack from one end while wickets fell regularly at the other.

Yousuf was eventually undone by the off-spinner in his first over after lunch, edging a flighted delivery. He scored 61 runs in his three-and-a-half hour stay at the crease. Saeed Ajmal, who hung around long enough with Yousuf to see off the first session, became Hauritz’s fifth scalp when skied one over midwicket and hand victory to the hosts.

Shane Watson, now a regular opener for Australia, was named man of the match for his contributions of 93 and 120 as the hosts ended a year that saw them lose their top Test ranking, with what captain Ricky Ponting called one of their “best Test wins.”

Pakistan captain Yousuf admitted his side did not bat well in the first innings on what was a good wicket.

The second Test starts on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Brief scores

First innings
Australia: 454/5 declared (S. Katich 98, S. Watson 93, M. Hussey 82) (M. Asif 2-86)
Pakistan: 258 (Misbah-ul-Haq 65*, U. Akmal 51) (D. Bollinger 3-50, M. Johnson 3-36)

Second innings
Australia: 228-8 (S. Watson 120*) (M. Aamer 5-79)
Pakistan: 251 (M. Yousuf 61) (N. Hauritz 5-101)

Result: Australia won by 170 runs
Man of the match: Shane Watson (Australia)
Series: Australia lead 1-0