In a rain-shortened T20I series opener, Australia clinched a 29-run victory over Pakistan at The Gabba on Thursday. The bowlers triggered a major collapse, limiting Pakistan to 64/9 in pursuit of a challenging 94-run target in just seven overs.
Pakistan started with a steady 12 runs for one wicket in the opening over. However, the middle order quickly crumbled, including crucial losses of Babar Azam (3) and captain Mohammad Rizwan (0), leaving Pakistan reeling at 20/5 after three overs.
Australia’s Xavier Bartlett set the tone by dismissing Salman Ali Agha (4) in his first over, finishing with impressive figures of 3/13 in his two overs. Abbas Afridi later offered some resistance with a quick 20* from No.8, but his efforts weren’t enough as Pakistan ultimately fell short.
Nathan Ellis spearheaded Australia’s bowling with remarkable figures of 3/9 in two overs, while Adam Zampa also claimed two wickets.
Earlier, Australia, put in to bat by Pakistan’s captain Rizwan, reached 93/4 in their allotted seven overs, thanks to Glenn Maxwell’s explosive 43 off 19 balls, including five fours and three sixes. The openers, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short, started strong, gathering 16 runs in the first over. Although Naseem Shah dismissed Fraser-McGurk early, Maxwell’s innings provided a solid foundation.
In the final over, Marcus Stoinis added 20 runs off Naseem, finishing unbeaten on 21 off seven balls with two fours and a six, pushing Australia to a formidable total.
For Pakistan, Abbas took two wickets, while Shaheen and Naseem claimed one each.
This defeat comes shortly after Pakistan’s historic ODI series win on Australian soil, marking their first victory there in 22 years. This T20I also marks Pakistan’s return after a disappointing T20 World Cup 2024, where they exited in the group stage following losses to the U.S. and India. Meanwhile, Australia entered the series off a 3-0 sweep of Scotland and a tied series against England.
Playing XI
Pakistan: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haseebullah Khan, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
Australia: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matt Short, Josh Inglis (c/wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
