Australia wins 2nd T20 with 13-Run Win, Seals Series 2-1
In a dramatic showdown at Sydney, Australia wins 2nd T20 by 13 runs to secure a 2-1 series victory. The Aus vs Pak T20 match, which started as a potential high-scoring affair, turned into a nail-biting thriller, showcasing brilliant bowling and missed opportunities.
Match Stats at a Glance
| Australia Innings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Score: 147/9 (20 overs) | Batting: Matthew Short 32 | Bowling: Spencer Johnson 5/26, Adam Zampa 2/19 |
| Pakistan Innings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Score: 134 (19.4 overs) | Batting: Usman Khan 52, Irfan Khan 37* | Bowling: Haris Rauf 4/22, Abbas Afridi 3/17 |
Australia wins 2nd T20: Key Moments and Highlights
1. Australia’s Solid Start
- Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk stormed to 50 in just 3.1 overs, the fastest in Australia’s T20I history.
- Pakistan fought back with Haris Rauf’s fiery bouncer that triggered a top-order collapse.
2. Pakistan’s Sloppy Fielding
- Multiple dropped catches, including by Babar Azam and Salman Agha, allowed Australia to post a competitive total.
- Fielding lapses proved critical in a low-scoring game where every run mattered.
3. Spencer Johnson’s Heroics
- Spencer Johnson’s blistering pace earned him a five-wicket haul, dismantling Pakistan’s chase.
- His crucial dismissals in the middle overs halted any momentum Pakistan tried to build.
4. Usman Khan’s Fightback
- Usman Khan registered his maiden T20I fifty, keeping Pakistan’s hopes alive.
- A 58-run partnership between Usman and Irfan Khan gave a glimmer of hope, but Johnson struck again to seal the game.
Lessons for Pakistan
- Fielding Errors: Dropped catches and poor effort in the field cost crucial runs.
- Slow Start: Lack of intent in the powerplay left the team chasing an uphill target.
