Sydney (Web Desk): Australia sealed a 2-0 series victory over Pakistan with a narrow 13-run win in the second T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 148, Pakistan fell short, being bowled out for 134 in the final over.
Pakistan's pursuit of the target got off to a disastrous start as they lost two early wickets—Babar Azam (3) and Sahibzada Farhan (5)—with just 17 runs on the board after three overs.
Skipper Mohammad Rizwan then teamed up with Usman Khan to steady the innings.
However, their partnership only yielded 27 runs before Rizwan was dismissed for a slow 16 off 26 balls, with Spencer Johnson striking in the 10th over. To make matters worse, Salman Ali Agha was dismissed for a duck in the same over, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 44/4.
With the score at 44/4, Muhammad Irfan Khan came in at number six and formed a crucial partnership with Usman.
The pair added 58 runs, taking the total past the 100-run mark and giving Pakistan a glimmer of hope. Usman played the anchor role, scoring a defiant 52 off 38 balls, while Irfan finished unbeaten on 37 from 28 deliveries.
However, Usman’s untimely dismissal, followed by the quick fall of three more wickets, ended their revival. Irfan fought bravely in the final overs, but the required runs were too many, and Pakistan was ultimately dismissed for 134.
Australia’s bowling attack was led by Spencer Johnson, whose five-wicket haul was the standout performance. Adam Zampa also played a key role, picking up two wickets and helping Australia close out the win.
Earlier in the match, Australia’s openers, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short, came out attacking, blasting 48 runs in just three overs.
However, Pakistan's captain Mohammad Rizwan made a key move by introducing Haris Rauf, who struck immediately, taking two wickets in his first over. Rauf dismissed Fraser-McGurk (20 from 9 balls) and Josh Inglis (0), leaving Australia in a precarious position.
Short, who had been Australia’s top scorer with 32 from 17 balls, was dismissed soon after, reducing Australia to 56/3 in the fifth over. From there, Pakistan's bowlers continued to dominate. Sufiyan Muqeem removed Marcus Stoinis (14) and Glenn Maxwell (21) in consecutive overs, further tightening the noose around the Australians.
Rauf continued to make an impact, taking two more wickets—Tim David (18) and Xavier Bartlett (5)—and finishing with outstanding figures of 4/22 from four overs. Abbas Afridi also shone, taking 3/17 in his four overs, including a superb final over where he gave up just six runs and claimed two more wickets. Sufiyan Muqeem chipped in with two wickets of his own.
Australia's total of 148 ultimately proved too much for Pakistan, who fell short despite some late resistance.
With the win, Australia takes an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, leaving Pakistan with a daunting task in the third and final match in Hobart on Monday.
Pakistan had earlier won the ODI series 2-1 but has struggled in the T20I format, including a 29-run loss in the rain-shortened series opener. With the T20 series now out of reach, they will aim to avoid a clean sweep in the final match.
Teams
Pakistan: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem
Australia: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matt Short, Josh Inglis (capt, wk), Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
