Salman Agha, bowlers shine as Pakistan beat Australia in 2nd T20I to clinch series
Pakistan beat Australia by 90 runs in the second T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, January 30. The hosts have won the three-match series 2-0.
New Delhi: Pakistan defeated Australia by 90 runs in the second T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, January 30. Batting first, Pakistan scored 198/5 in 20 overs, registering their highest T20I against the Aussies. The hosts clinched the three-match T20I series 2-0. Salman Agha and Usman Khan hit half-centuries, while Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan picked up three wickets each to restrict Australia to 108/10 in 15.4 overs. This was Pakistan's first T20I series win against the Aussies since 2018.
Defending the competitive target, Pakistan’s bowlers, led by spinners, bundled Australia out for just 108 in 15.4 overs. Cameron Green was the highest run-scorer for the visitors, amassing 35 runs off 20 balls, followed by Matthew Short, who made 27 runs off 23 deliveries.
Apart from them, only captain Mitchell Marsh (18) and Xavier Bartlett (10) reached double figures. For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan claimed three wickets each, while Usman Tariq took two. Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz also picked up one wicket each.
Salman, Usman shine for Pakistan
Earlier, Pakistan got off to a shaky start after opting to bat first, losing Sahibzada Farhan for five runs in the second over. However, Agha quickly took control along with opener Saim Ayub. The duo stitched a 55-run partnership for the second wicket, with Agha dominating the stand, and Ayub played a brisk cameo before departing in the last over of the powerplay.
The hosts then suffered another massive setback when Adam Zampa trapped Babar Azam lbw for 2 runs, putting pressure on the hosts at 76/3 in 7.1 overs. But Agha continued his counter-attack and changed the momentum towards Pakistan, forging a quick partnership with Shadab Khan.
The Pakistan skipper completed his sixth T20I fifty in just 25 balls, eventually top-scoring with a blistering 76 runs off 40 deliveries, smashing eight boundaries and four maximums. Australia got some relief when Sean Abbott dismissed Agha in the 13th over.
But, Usman Khan ensured Pakistan finished strongly, scoring his second T20I fifty with the help of four boundaries and two maximums. He also stitched a crucial 63-run partnership with Shadab, who made 28 runs off 20 balls to push Pakistan to 198. The third and final T20I of the series will be played on February 1 at the same venue.