In the second T20I between Pakistan and Australia, held at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a sensational bowling performance by Pakistan’s star pacer Haris Rauf wrecked Australia’s batting order as the visitors bowled Australia out for just 147 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Australia were expected to set a challenging total, but Haris Rauf had other plans. Rauf was outstanding with the ball, claiming 4 crucial wickets for just 22 runs in his four overs. His devastating spell left the Australian batters with no answer, as he picked up key wickets at vital moments in the innings.
The pressure on Australia mounted from the start. With Rauf in full flow, Australia found themselves struggling to build partnerships. Abbas Afridi, who was equally impressive, chipped in with three wickets of his own. He was particularly effective at the death, claiming two wickets in the final over of the Australian innings, further adding to Pakistan’s dominance.
Meanwhile, Sufiyan Muqeem supported his teammates admirably with the ball. The young pacer picked up two wickets for 21 runs in his four overs, showcasing his potential in the T20 format. Pakistan’s bowlers were on top throughout, never allowing Australia to get settled at the crease.
Australia’s batting effort was lackluster, with only a few batters reaching double digits. Matthew Short emerged as the top scorer for Australia with a valuable 32 runs, but his efforts were not enough to prevent the collapse. Aaron Hardie and Glenn Maxwell were among the other prominent batters, but neither managed to stay at the crease long enough to make a significant impact. Hardie contributed 19 runs, while Maxwell, known for his big-hitting, could only muster 14 runs before falling to Rauf.
Despite a few bright spots, Australia’s innings was a disappointing one, with the Australian side failing to adapt to the pressure exerted by Pakistan’s bowlers. At the end of their 20 overs, Australia were all out for a modest 147, a total that would need a miraculous turnaround to defend.
Pakistan, with their dominant bowling display, will now look to chase down the target with confidence and seal the series with a win.
