SYDNEY – Confident Australia beat Pakistan by 13 runs in the second T20 international at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Australia after opting to bat first posted a total of 147/9, with Matthew Short top-scoring for the hosts with 32 runs off 17 balls. Glenn Maxwell made 21. In the first half, Pakistani bowlers, led by Haris Rauf, staged remarkable comeback to restrict Australia to 147/9 in the second T20I. Australia’s openers raced to 48 runs in the first three overs, Rauf struck twice in his first over, dismissing Fraser-McGurk and Josh Inglis.
Pakistan’s chase was set back early, losing key wickets, including Mohammad Rizwan (16 off 26). However, Usman Khan kept Pakistan’s hopes alive with a solid 52 off 38 balls, while Irian Khan remained unbeaten on 37* from 28 balls.
Despite their valiant efforts, Pakistan fell short, finishing on 134/8 in 19.4 overs. Australia’s bowlers, spearheaded by Spencer Johnson, who claimed an impressive 5/26, and Adam Zampa with 2/19, proved too strong in the end.
Xavier Bartlett also contributed with a key wicket, finishing with 1/18. Australia’s win put them 2-0 up in the three-match series, with Pakistan now needing a win in the final T20I to avoid a series defeat.
Aussies earlier won the toss and decided to bat first against Pakistan in the second of the three-match T20I series at Sydney on Saturday.
The hosts lead the series 1-0. Australia beat Pakistan by 29 runs in the rain-hit seven-over opening game of the three-match T20I series at the Gabba in Brisbane. Pakistan managed 63-9 in the allotted overs after Australia raced to 93-4 off the 42 balls they faced.
Earlier, bad weather delayed the start of play before Pakistan won the toss and opted to field first. After Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf removed the Australia opening batters for single digits, Glenn Maxwell hit five fours and three sixes in his breezy 19-ball 43.
Marcus Stoinis struck an unbeaten 21 off seven balls including two fours and one six to propel Australia to a formidable total. Mohammad Abbas Afridi picked up two wickets in his solitary over.
In turn, Pakistan were reduced to 24-6 in 3.2 overs before Abbas top scored with 20 not out off 10 balls hitting two fours and one six. Haseebullah (12, 8b, 1×4, 1×6) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (11, 6b, 1×6) were the other batters to enter double figures for Pakistan.
Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis picked up three wickets each while Adam Zampa returned figures of 2-9.
PAK vs AUS 1st T20I Match Time
The first T20I between Pakistan and Australia will start at 1:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST).
Squads
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain – wicket-keeper), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan
Australia: Josh Inglis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matthew Short, Aaron Hardy, Sean Abbott, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Josh Philippe
Pakistan v Australia 1st T20I Live Streaming
Mobile phone users can watch the match through live streaming from Tapmad and Tamasha. However, the live streaming will also be available through Tapmad web streaming.
Which TV Channels will live telecast AUS vs PAK T20s in Pakistan and Australia?
The match will be broadcast by PTV Sports in Pakistan. However, cricket fans in Australia can watch it on Kayo Sports and Fox Network.
