Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif heaped praise on Nathan Lyon after the Australian spinner achieved the stupendous landmark of 500 wickets in Test cricket.

On Sunday, December 17, Lyon became the eighth bowler and the second Australian after Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne to reach the milestone. Lyon dismissed Faheem Ashraf on Day 4 of the first Test against Pakistan at the Perth Stadium to accomplish the feat.

Kaif called the 36-year-old Lyon ‘modern day great’ and lauded him for being a ‘thinking and fighting’ cricketer.

“Always thinking, always fighting, always difficult to play. Nathan Lyon is a modern day great. Congrats for 500 Test wickets,” Kaif wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Lyon, who also picked up five wickets in the match, talked about how he felt after he made proper use of the DRS to dismiss Ashraf.

“I still pinch myself when I see my name next to those guys. Bit of a trademark, the left hander, sliding on and hitting the pad. Lucky enough it was three reds,” Lyon was quoted as saying.

“Nice to get back after the injury, I have not taken anything for granted, especially playing for Australia, appreciate every moment of my career,” he added.

Australia bowled Pakistan out for 89 in the fourth innings and won the opening Test by 360 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

After a break, Australia will play in the Boxing Day Test, which is scheduled to get underway on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.