Pakistan Spin Out Australia in Second T20I to Clinch Series

News Desk 

Lahore: Captain Salman Agha struck a career-best knock as Pakistan’s spinners delivered a dominant performance to defeat Australia by 90 runs in the second Twenty20 International, sealing the three-match series 2–0 at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Pakistan posted a formidable 198 for 5 — their highest-ever T20I total against Australia. Salman Agha led the charge with a scintillating 76 off 40 balls, his highest score in T20 cricket, while Usman Khan contributed a brisk 53 off 36 deliveries.

The total proved far beyond Australia’s reach as Pakistan’s spin attack shared all 10 wickets to bowl out the visitors for 108 in 15.4 overs. Abrar Ahmed returned impressive figures of 3 for 14, while Shadab Khan claimed 3 for 26. Usman Tariq also chipped in with two wickets.

The emphatic victory marked Pakistan’s biggest T20I win over Australia, surpassing their 66-run triumph in Abu Dhabi in 2018, and secured Pakistan’s first T20I series win against Australia since that year.

“It has to be a perfect game,” Salman Agha said after the match. “We batted well and then were outstanding with the ball. The fielding was outstanding.”

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/salman-spinners-power-pakistan-to-series-win-over-australia/

Pakistan had earlier recovered from the early loss of opener Sahibzada Farhan, with Salman Agha and Saim Ayub adding 55 runs for the second wicket. Ayub scored a quick 23 off 11 balls as Pakistan raced to 72 runs in the powerplay.

After Babar Azam was dismissed for two, Usman Khan joined the captain to add 49 runs for the fourth wicket before Sean Abbott broke the stand. Salman struck eight fours and four sixes in his sixth T20 half-century before being dismissed.

Usman Khan then shared a crucial 63-run fifth-wicket partnership with Shadab Khan, helping Pakistan add 61 runs in the final five overs. Usman struck two sixes and four fours in his second T20I half-century, while Shadab remained unbeaten on 28 off 20 balls.

In reply, Australia struggled against Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack despite skipper Mitchell Marsh returning to the side after missing the first match. Abrar Ahmed dismissed Marsh for 18, Josh Inglis for five and Matthew Short for 27. Cameron Green top-scored with 35 off 20 balls before falling to Usman Tariq.

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh admitted his side was outplayed. “Pakistan put us under great pressure with the bat. It was probably a 160–170 wicket, so they scored a big total,” he said.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/saim-abrar-star-as-pakistan-beat-australia-by-22-runs/

Pacer Xavier Bartlett and spinner Matthew Kuhnemann endured a tough outing, conceding 92 runs between them in eight overs.

The third and final T20I will be played on Sunday in Lahore.

CM Congratulates Pakistan on T20 Series Victory

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has congratulated the Pakistan cricket team on their T20 series victory against Australia, lauding the players for their outstanding performance.

In a statement, the chief minister said that the national side demonstrated exceptional skill, teamwork and determination, winning the hearts of the nation with their brilliant display. She noted that Team Pakistan created history by registering its highest-ever total against Australia in T20 International cricket.

CM Maryam Nawaz expressed the hope that the team would maintain its winning momentum in the upcoming matches and continue to bring pride and joy to the country.