Australia Secures Series with 13-Run Victory
Australia beat Pakistan by 13 runs in the second T20I. They took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The hosts scored 147/9. Spencer Johnson’s stellar bowling restricted Pakistan to 134 all out.
Australia’s Innings: A Balanced Effort Amid Tight Bowling
Batting first in Hobart, Australia faced a disciplined bowling display from Pakistan. The home side scored 147/9 in 20 overs. Despite no big partnerships, Short (32 off 24), Hardie (28 off 22), Maxwell (21 off 18), and Fraser-McGurk (20 off 15) made key contributions.
Haris Rauf led Pakistan’s bowlers with 4 for 26. Abbas Afridi took 3 for 30 and Sufiyan Muqeem 2 for 29. They also impressed. Pakistan’s bowlers applied pressure. But, Australia’s batters scraped a defendable total.
Pakistan’s Chase: A Struggle Against Spencer Johnson
Pakistan’s chase of 148 started poorly, losing wickets often. Irfan Khan top-scored with 37 off 31 balls, but he received little support from his teammates. The rest of the batting lineup failed to build momentum, leaving Pakistan all out for 134 in their 20 overs.
Australia’s Spencer Johnson was the standout bowler. He took 5/36, including key dismissals at crucial moments. His devastating spell dismantled Pakistan’s hopes of leveling the series. Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Ellis supported him. They kept tight lines to control the scoring.
Key Performers: Stats at a Glance
- Australia Batting:
- Matthew Short: 32 (24), 3 fours, 1 six
- Aaron Hardie: 28 (22), 2 fours, 1 six
- Glenn Maxwell: 21 (18), 2 fours
- Pakistan Bowling:
- Haris Rauf: 4/26
- Abbas Afridi: 3/30
- Sufiyan Muqeem: 2/29
- Pakistan Batting:
- Irfan Khan: 37 (31), 3 fours, 1 six
- Australia Bowling:
- Spencer Johnson: 5/36
Series Outcome and Final Match Preview
With this victory, Australia has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The third T20I is on Sunday. Pakistan wants to avoid a clean sweep. Australia aims to carry their momentum into the finale.
