Dramatic collapse hands Aus series

Mitchell Starc shone with bat and ball as Australia dismissed Pakistan for 163 to secure an innings and 18-run victory in the second Test on Friday, the win giving the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Starc smashed 84 with the bat, including a record seven sixes at the MCG, then tore through Pakistan's tail with 4-36 as Australia's bowlers snatched an unlikely win from a rain-blighted match.

Pakistan's capitulation left their captain heart-broken and after falling for a second-ball duck with a rash sweep-shot, 42-year-old veteran Misbahul Haq said he would consider retiring before the series finale in Sydney.

For home captain and man of the match Steve Smith, it was a golden day as he smashed an unbeaten 165 in the morning session and watched Pakistan disintegrate in the afternoon.

After declaring Australia's first innings at 624 for eight just before lunch, Smith gave his bowlers 68 overs to run through the tourists. In the end, they needed only 53.2 overs as Pakistan's demise hastened against the reversing ball after tea.

SCORES IN BRIEF

PAKISTAN: First innings 443 for 9 decl

AUSTRALIA: First innings 624 for 8 decl (Warner 144, Khawaja 97,  Smith 165 not out, Handscomb 54, Starc 84; Sohail 3-131, Yasir 3-207, Riaz 2-147)

PAKISTAN: Second innings 163 (Azhar 43, Younis 24, Sarfraz 43; Starc 4-36, Hazlewood 2-39, Lyon 3-33)

Result: Australia won by an innings and 18 runs.

Player-of-the-match: Steve Smith.