Sydney, November 16, 2024 – Australia clinched the T20I series against Pakistan with a 13-run victory in the second match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday. A stellar five-wicket haul by Spencer Johnson and a solid all-around performance by the Australian bowling unit proved decisive.
Chasing 148 for victory, Pakistan fell short, being bowled out for 134 in the final over. The visitors struggled from the outset, losing key batters Babar Azam (3) and Sahibzada Farhan (5) early in the innings, leaving them at 17/2 within the first three overs.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan attempted a recovery, adding 27 runs before Rizwan’s dismissal in the 10th over for a labored 16 off 26 balls. The same over also saw Salman Ali Agha dismissed without scoring, further denting Pakistan’s hopes.
Middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan showed resilience, forming a crucial 58-run partnership with Usman. Usman top-scored with a gritty 52 off 38 deliveries, featuring five boundaries and a six. However, his untimely dismissal sparked a collapse, as Pakistan lost three quick wickets, stalling their momentum.
Despite Irfan’s unbeaten 37 off 28 balls, featuring three boundaries, Pakistan could not cross the finish line. Johnson’s career-best 5/24 and Adam Zampa’s two wickets sealed the game for Australia.
Australia’s Innings
Earlier, Australia opted to bat and started aggressively, with openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short hammering 48 runs in the first three overs. Fraser-McGurk contributed a quick 20 off nine balls, while Short top-scored with 32 off 17 balls, including two fours and two sixes.
Pakistan struck back through Haris Rauf, who dismissed Fraser-McGurk and captain Josh Inglis (0) in a single over. Abbas Afridi further disrupted the Australian innings, removing Short and leaving the hosts at 56/3 in five overs.
All-rounders Marcus Stoinis (14) and Glenn Maxwell (21) provided some stability with a 30-run partnership but fell to left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who claimed both their wickets in successive overs.
Haris was Pakistan’s standout bowler, claiming 4/22 in four overs, including the scalps of Tim David (18) and Xavier Bartlett (5). Abbas Afridi delivered an impressive final over, taking two wickets and conceding just six runs to end with figures of 3/17.
Despite Pakistan’s strong bowling performance, their batting faltered under pressure, allowing Australia to secure the series with a game to spare. The final T20I will be played at Melbourne, with Pakistan looking to salvage some pride.
