Pakistan Outclass Australia to Clinch T20I Series in Lahore
Lahore: Pakistan produced a dominant all-round performance to overpower Australia by 90 runs in the second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, riding on explosive half-centuries from skipper Salman Ali Agha and wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan.
The emphatic win sealed the three-match series for Pakistan at 2-0, with the concluding encounter set to take place at the same venue on Sunday.
Chasing a stiff target of 199, Australia’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure and was dismissed for just 108 in 15.4 overs. Cameron Green was the lone bright spot for the visitors, scoring 35 from 20 balls, while Matthew Short added 27 off 23. Captain Mitchell Marsh chipped in with 18, and Xavier Bartlett contributed 10, but no other batter managed to reach double figures.
Pakistan’s spinners wreaked havoc, with Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan picking up three wickets each. Usman Tariq claimed two scalps, while Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz took one wicket apiece.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan posted an imposing 198 for five in their allotted 20 overs. The hosts endured an early setback when Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for five in the second over, leaving the score at 17.
Captain Agha then steadied the innings alongside Saim Ayub, launching a counterattack that put Australia on the back foot. Ayub’s aggressive knock ended on the final ball of the powerplay when he was dismissed for 23 off 11 balls, having struck four boundaries.
Pakistan lost another key wicket soon after when Adam Zampa trapped Babar Azam lbw for two, reducing the home side to 76 for three in the eighth over. Undeterred, Agha pressed on and reached his half-century in just 25 deliveries during a crucial stand with Shadab Khan that rebuilt the innings.
Sean Abbott finally halted Agha’s charge in the 13th over. The Pakistan captain walked back after a scintillating 76 from 40 balls, which included eight fours and four sixes.
Usman Khan then took charge in the latter half of the innings, ensuring Pakistan maintained momentum. The wicketkeeper-batter registered his second T20I fifty, scoring 52 off 35 balls with four fours and two sixes. He added 63 runs for the fifth wicket with Shadab, who struck 28 from 20 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz provided late fireworks with a quick 10 off four deliveries.
Australia’s bowling effort saw wickets shared among Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Cooper Connolly, and Sean Abbott, each picking up one.
