Pakistan clinched their first T20 International series win over Australia in seven years with a dominant 90-run victory in the second match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
After posting a formidable total of 199, Pakistan’s bowlers produced a ruthless display, dismissing Australia for just 108 in 15.4 overs to seal the series in emphatic fashion. The third and final match will be played at the same venue on Sunday.
Pakistan’s innings was built on an aggressive batting effort, spearheaded by captain Salman Ali Agha and wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan, who both scored fluent half-centuries to keep sustained pressure on the Australian attack.
After winning the toss, Agha elected to bat first, a decision that proved decisive despite an early blow. Opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for five in the second over with the score at 17, but Pakistan quickly regained momentum and went on to dominate the contest.
Agha and Saim Ayub counter-attacked with intent, racing through the powerplay. Ayub scored a brisk 23 off 11 balls, including four boundaries, before falling to Cooper Connolly on the final delivery of the fielding restrictions. Pakistan reached 72 for two after six overs, underlining their dominance at the top.
Australia struck again when Adam Zampa trapped Babar Azam lbw for two, reducing Pakistan to 76 for three in the eighth over. However, the breakthrough failed to slow Agha, who continued to dictate terms through the middle overs.
The Pakistan captain brought up his sixth T20I half-century from just 25 deliveries during a vital 49-run partnership with Shadab Khan, restoring stability after the twin setbacks. Agha eventually departed in the 13th over, dismissed by Sean Abbott for a commanding 76 off 40 balls, an innings that featured eight fours and four sixes.
Usman Khan ensured Pakistan finished strongly, producing a composed yet aggressive knock of 52 from 35 deliveries. Batting at number five, he shared a crucial 63-run stand with Shadab, who contributed 28 off 20 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz added late impetus with 10 off four deliveries. Pakistan closed their innings on 198 for five.
Chasing 199, Australia never found momentum. Regular wickets and disciplined bowling pegged the visitors back from the outset, with only Cameron Green offering brief resistance.
The all-rounder top-scored with 35 from 20 balls, followed by Matthew Short’s 27 off 23 deliveries. Captain Mitchell Marsh made 18, while Xavier Bartlett was the only other batter to reach double figures with 10.
Pakistan’s spinners led the rout, with Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan claiming three wickets each. Usman Tariq picked up two, while Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz took one apiece to complete a comprehensive bowling effort.
For Australia, the wickets in Pakistan’s innings were shared among Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Cooper Connolly and Sean Abbott, but the bowling performance proved insufficient in the face of Pakistan’s all-round dominance.
Pakistan squad
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq
Australia squad
Mitchell Marsh (c), Adam Zampa, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Josh Inglis, Josh Philippe, Mahli Beardman, Marcus Stoinis, Matt Short, Matthew Kuhnemann, Matthew Renshaw, Mitch Owen, Sean Abbott, Travis Head and Xavier Bartlett
Source: Dunya News
