Pakistan delivered an excellent all-round performance to defeat Australia by 90 runs in the second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Defending a strong target of 198 runs, Pakistan’s bowlers, especially the spinners, completely outplayed the Australian batting lineup and bowled the visitors out for just 108 runs in 15.4 overs.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that proved successful. His aggressive innings, along with a strong finish by wicketkeeper Usman Khan, helped Pakistan post an impressive total of 198 for 5.
Pakistan did not start well as Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for 5 runs in the second over when the score was 17. Salman Ali Agha then steadied the innings with Saim Ayub and kept the scoring rate healthy during the powerplay.
Salman played the leading role, while Saim Ayub added quick runs. Ayub scored 23 off 11 balls with four boundaries before getting out on the last ball of the powerplay.
Pakistan suffered another blow when Adam Zampa trapped Babar Azam lbw for just 2 runs, leaving the score at 76 for 3 in 7.1 overs.
However, Salman Ali Agha shifted the momentum with Shadab Khan. The captain reached his sixth T20I half-century in just 25 balls and went on to score a brilliant 76 off 40 balls, hitting eight fours and four sixes.
Australia finally got a breakthrough in the 13th over when Sean Abbott dismissed Salman Agha, ending a dangerous 49-run partnership.
In the final overs, Usman Khan ensured a strong finish by scoring his second T20I fifty. He made 52 runs off 35 balls, including four fours and two sixes. He shared a crucial 63-run partnership with Shadab Khan, who scored 28 off 20 balls. Mohammad Nawaz added a quick 10 off 4 balls, taking Pakistan’s total to 198.
For Australia, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Cooper Connolly and Sean Abbott claimed one wicket each.
In reply, Australia struggled from the very start. Pakistan’s bowlers took regular wickets and kept tight control over the scoring, bowling Australia out for 108 runs and sealing the series with one match still to play.
