In a thrilling encounter between australia vs pakistan, Australia beat Pakistan by 13 runs in 2nd T20 match played on Saturday, November 15, 2024 at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a total of 147 for the loss of 9 wickets. In response, Pakistan were bowled out for 134, giving Australia a deserved win.
Australia held their composure and pulled off a thrilling 14-point win. While emotions ran high as the Australian players celebrated, Pakistan’s hopes were dashed, eliciting mixed reactions from both teams.With this win, Australia won the 3-match T20 series by a scoreline of 2-1, securing the series win in a gripping contest.
Short and Fraser-McGurk’s explosive start
Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk gave Australia a blazing start in the second T20I, putting them on 52 by the end of the fourth over. Their attacking intent was evident from the start, as they harassed the Pakistani bowlers without hesitation.
The duo dominated Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah whenever they had a chance to score. Fraser-McGurk’s short, clean stroke play put the Pakistani pacers under pressure with their powerful hitting.
Afridi and Naseem, known for their speed and accuracy, failed to find their rhythm. Short and Fraser-McGurk’s relentless attack came to the rescue to control the flow of runs.This explosive partnership provided Australia with a solid foundation and quickly put Pakistan behind.
Pakistan’s bowling attack helped Australia post a total of 147 runs
Haris Rauf’s double in the fifth over proved to be the turning point for Pakistan. He dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk with a sharp delivery and Josh Inglis took a crucial wicket to turn the momentum in Pakistan’s favour.
Abbas Afridi’s dismissal of Matt Short in the very next over further hurt Australia’s progress. The Australians, who were once in good form, are now feeling the pressure as the fast wickets have fallen.
Sufiyan muqeem made an impressive debut in the australia vs pakistan 2nd t20 and played a key role in dismantling the Australian batting line-up. His clever bowling and accuracy resulted in two crucial wickets, further increasing the pressure on the Australian side.
Muqeem’s performance was part of Pakistan’s brilliant fightback as the trio of Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi and Muqeem restricted Australia to just 147 runs. Rauf’s four wickets and Afridi’s three wickets formed a brilliant partnership that stifled the Australian batsmen.
Despite a good start, Australia could not capitalise on the combined strength of their bowling trio.The weather in Sydney today played a part in helping the bowlers and made batting conditions difficult. Australia’s struggles were palpable and the Pakistan bowlers made the most of it to keep the score low.
Australia’s bowling glory, Pakistan’s early demise
Australia’s success was built on a strong early partnership and a brilliant bowling display, especially Spencer Johnson’s five-wicket haul that broke Pakistan’s lead. Haris Rauf’s four-wicket haul was also crucial to Australia’s victory, which halted their momentum.
Spencer Johnson’s five wickets changed the pace
Spencer Johnson’s outstanding bowling ability changed the course of the second T20I. He dismantled Pakistan’s top order and claimed five crucial wickets, including the dismissal of a key player in the middle overs. His precise line and length made it difficult for Pakistan to advance.
Johnson’s efforts turned the game around, keeping Pakistan tied up at every opportunity. His constant pressure put Australia in a good position to win. His performances not only disrupted the chase but also almost sealed Australia’s victory.
Pakistan’s demise was due to early wickets and a lack of support from the middle order. Despite Usman Khan’s fightback, they could not recover and a key dismissal turned the game in Australia’s favour.
Early departures of Rizwan and Babar put Pakistan under pressure
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam started Pakistan’s innings cautiously, focusing on building a solid foundation. However, both openers fell early and failed to capitalise on their early advantage. Their dismissals put Pakistan under immediate pressure after their departure.
Usman Khan’s counterattack falls short
Usman Khan’s brilliant knock of 52 gave Pakistan a much-needed boost in the middle overs. His aggressive strokeplay gave Pakistan hope and he got closer to the target. Khan’s partnership with the lower order kept the chase going.
However, his dismissal turned the tables in Australia’s favour. With Khan out, Pakistan lost momentum and the rest of the batsmen struggled to keep the chase going. Australia regained control and won successfully.
Last over drama:
The tension filled the final over as Pakistan fought valiantly to chase the target. Every ball seemed to have the potential to change the game as wickets fell and the runs needed to be made. The atmosphere was heated and both teams were on edge.
Dead Rubber:
The next match between australia vs pakistan is expected to be played on Monday, November 18, 2024 without any major impact on the outcome of the series as Australia have already secured a 2-1 win. However, both teams are expected to put in their best performances on the pitch and Pakistan will be keen to finish the series on a high and avoid a 3-1 defeat. This is an opportunity for Australia to continue their winning streak and experiment with different strategies or combinations of players ahead of future tournaments.