Australia narrowly defeated Pakistan in a thrilling second T20I at Sydney’s iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday. As Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, Spencer Johnson put on a show with his pace and precision to lead the win by 13 runs.
SCG: Australia Pummel Start
Australian Skipper Josh Inglis won the toss and elected to bat first. Australia fielded the same XI as last game and Pakistan made only 1 change bringing in young spinner Sufiyan Muqeem for Haseebullah Khan.
Australian openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short got off to a fiery start, amassing 21 runs off the first over bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Naseem Shah followed with an expensive over, conceding 16 runs. With their aggressive approach, Australia reached 50 runs in just 3.1 overs.
However, Pakistan’s pace spearhead Haris Rauf turned the tide in the fourth over. He dismissed Fraser-McGurk and Josh Inglis in quick succession, finishing with impressive figures of 4-0-22-4. Rauf’s clinical bowling ensured that the Australian middle order struggled to build momentum.
Contributions from Abbas Afridi (3 wickets) and Sufiyan Muqeem (2 wickets) further restricted the Australian innings. Despite the challenges, Aaron Hardie anchored the innings with a steady 28 off 23 balls, helping Australia post a competitive total of 148.
Pakistan’s Chase Falters Despite Resilience
Chasing 148, Pakistan faced early setbacks. Xavier Bartlett dismissed Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, in the second over, setting the tone for Australia’s defense. Usman Khan provided a glimmer of hope with a composed 52 off 38 balls. However, his dismissal shortly after reaching his half-century left Pakistan vulnerable.
The highlight of the match was Spencer Johnson’s exceptional bowling performance. His five-wicket haul dismantled Pakistan’s batting order, making him the standout performer for Australia. Johnson’s ability to extract pace and bounce on the SCG pitch proved too much for the visitors.
While Irfan Khan tried to steer Pakistan towards the target with an unbeaten 37 off 27 balls, including four boundaries and a six, the lack of support from the other end meant Pakistan fell short by 13 runs.
Key Performances That Shaped the Match
- Spencer Johnson’s Bowling Masterclass: Johnson’s figures of 5-0-37-5 turned the game in Australia’s favor, showcasing his potential as a future T20 star.
- Haris Rauf’s Fiery Spell: Rauf continued his excellent form, claiming 4 wickets and applying pressure on Australia during the powerplay.
- Usman Khan’s Lone Battle: His 52-run knock gave Pakistan a fighting chance, though the lack of partnerships hindered their progress.
Looking Ahead: Third T20I in Hobart
With the series already decided, Pakistan will aim to salvage some pride in the third and final T20I in Hobart on Monday. The team management may consider additional changes to address their batting concerns, while Australia will look to complete a clean sweep.
