Australia defeated Pakistan by 13 runs in the second T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, sealing a 2-0 series win. Set a target of 148 runs, Pakistan was bowled out for 134 in the final over.
The visitors had a rough start to their chase. Pakistan lost key batters early, with Babar Azam dismissed for just three and Sahibzada Farhan falling for five. The team was quickly reduced to 17/2 after only three overs.
Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, then partnered with Usman Khan to steady the ship. They added 27 runs before Spencer Johnson struck in the 10th over, removing Rizwan for 16 off 26 balls. Rizwan’s innings was slow and struggled to find rhythm. The same over saw the fall of Salman Ali Agha, who was dismissed for a duck.
At 44/4 in the 9.3 over, Pakistan was in trouble. However, Muhammad Irfan Khan arrived at the crease and formed a crucial partnership with Usman. The pair took Pakistan’s total past 100 runs, with a 58-run stand that gave the visitors hope.
Usman was the top-scorer for Pakistan, making 52 off 38 balls, including five boundaries and a six. Irfan contributed a valiant 37 not out from 28 balls, striking four boundaries. Despite their efforts, Pakistan couldn’t finish the chase. Usman’s dismissal and three quick wickets left them needing too much from the tailenders. Irfan fought on but was unable to guide his team over the line.
Australia’s Spencer Johnson was the standout bowler, finishing with a remarkable 5/26. Adam Zampa also played a key role, taking 2/17.
Earlier, Australia had chosen to bat first. Their openers, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short, came out aggressive. They smashed 48 runs off the first three overs, making Pakistan’s bowlers sweat early.
But Pakistan fought back. Mohammad Rizwan’s decision to bring in Haris Rauf paid off. Rauf struck twice in his first over, removing Fraser-McGurk (20 off 9 balls) and captain Josh Inglis (0). After that, Abbas Afridi bowled a brilliant over to dismiss Short for 32 off 17 balls, reducing Australia to 56/3 in five overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers continued to put pressure on Australia. Haris Rauf bagged two more wickets, dismissing Marcus Stoinis (14) and Glenn Maxwell (21). Both were removed by Sufiyan Muqeem in successive overs.
Haris’ excellent bowling continued, as he finished with outstanding figures of 4/22 from his four overs. Abbas Afridi backed him up with figures of 3/17, including a brilliant final over where he took two wickets and gave away just six runs. Sufiyan Muqeem also claimed two wickets for Pakistan.
Australia’s total was 147/9 in their 20 overs, a challenging target for Pakistan. However, despite the best efforts of Usman and Irfan, the visitors fell short by 13 runs.
The third and final match of the series will take place in Hobart on Monday. Pakistan had won the preceding one-day international series 2-1, but Australia bounced back strongly in this T20 series.
