The cricketing action continued at the Sydney Cricket Ground on November 16, 2024, as Pakistan faced off against Australia in the second T20I of the series.
Despite valiant efforts from Pakistan’s batting lineup, Australia clinched a 13-run victory, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
The match was a nail-biter, showcasing impressive performances from both sides.
2nd T20I: Pakistan vs Australia – Complete Scorecard
Australia Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Short | 32 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 188.24 |
| Jake Fraser-McGurk | 20 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 222.22 |
| Josh Inglis (c & wk) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 18 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 11 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 73.33 |
| Tim David | 10 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Nathan Ellis | 16* | 12 | 2 | 0 | 133.33 |
| Spencer Johnson | 9 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 90.00 |
| Adam Zampa | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 116.67 |
| Xavier Bartlett | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 24 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 147 | 20 Ov | – | – | – |
Australia’s Innings: A Balanced Start
Winning the toss, Australia opted to bat first and put up 147 runs for 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The opening partnership set a strong tone, with Matthew Short leading the charge. His 32 runs off just 17 balls, laced with two boundaries and two sixes, provided the early momentum Australia needed.
Short’s aggressive approach was well complemented by Jake Fraser-McGurk, who smashed 20 off 9 balls, including three fours and a six, at an impressive strike rate of 222.22.
However, Pakistan’s bowlers fought back effectively. Haris Rauf, known for his fiery pace, took two crucial wickets, including Fraser-McGurk, to stall Australia’s momentum.
Abbas Afridi also shone with the ball, dismissing Short and contributing to the wickets column. The Australian middle order struggled to maintain the early momentum, with skipper Josh Inglis falling for a duck.
Despite the pressure, Australia’s lower order managed to scrape together crucial runs. However, they were kept in check by Pakistan’s disciplined bowling and fielding. Haris Rauf finished with figures of 2 for 31, while Abbas Afridi impressed with 2 for 27.
Pakistan’s Bowling Performance
Pakistan’s bowlers executed their game plan with precision, capitalizing on the SCG’s conditions. Besides Rauf and Afridi, Shaheen Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem added valuable support. While Shaheen’s spell yielded a key breakthrough, Muqeem’s fielding skills were on display, contributing to a crucial run-out in the latter half of the innings.
Despite these efforts, Australia’s ability to accumulate runs in the death overs ultimately proved to be the difference
Pakistan’s Chase: A Spirited but Incomplete Effort
Chasing 148, Pakistan’s innings started on a shaky note, with the top order failing to build partnerships. Captain Babar Azam departed early, scoring just 3 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan managed a laborious 16 off 26 balls.
Their dismissals left Pakistan struggling at 44 for 4, with the pressure mounting on the middle order.
Usman Khan provided a glimmer of hope with a fighting knock of 52 off 38 balls. His innings, highlighted by four boundaries and a six, kept Pakistan in contention. Irfan Khan also played a crucial role, remaining unbeaten with a quick-fire 36 off 25 balls, including four fours and a six.
The duo tried to stabilize the innings but lacked support from the lower order
The turning point of the chase came in the final overs. Pakistan needed 16 runs from the last over, a challenging task against Australia’s experienced death bowlers. Despite Irfan Khan’s resilience, Spencer Johnson proved too formidable, securing his maiden five-wicket haul.
Johnson’s figures of 5 for 26 in 4 overs, supported by Adam Zampa’s 2 for 19, sealed the game for Australia.
Pakistan Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk) | 16 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 61.54 |
| Babar Azam | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Sahibzada Farhan | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Usman Khan | 52 | 38 | 4 | 1 | 136.84 |
| Agha Salman | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Irfan Khan | 36* | 25 | 4 | 1 | 144.00 |
| Abbas Afridi | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Naseem Shah | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Sufiyan Muqeem | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Haris Rauf | 1* | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Extras | 15 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 132 | 19 Ov | – | – | – |
Result
Australia won by 13 runs.
Australia’s Bowling Dominance
Spencer Johnson emerged as the standout performer for Australia, showcasing his skill in critical moments. His accurate lines and lengths troubled Pakistan’s batters, and his control under pressure was commendable.
Adam Zampa, known for his wily leg-spin, complemented Johnson perfectly. His double strike in the middle overs dismantled Pakistan’s batting rhythm, making it an uphill battle for the visitors.
Other bowlers, including Xavier Bartlett and Marcus Stoinis, played their roles effectively, keeping Pakistan’s scoring rate in check during the powerplay.
Although Nathan Ellis conceded a few extra runs, his ability to mix pace variations was vital in the death overs.
Key Moments and Highlights
- Australia’s Powerplay Blitz: The early fireworks by Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk set the stage for a competitive total.
- Usman Khan’s Heroics: His well-crafted half-century was the backbone of Pakistan’s chase.
- Spencer Johnson’s Magic: A career-best performance under pressure highlighted his potential as a match-winner.
- Fielding Excellence: Both teams displayed exceptional fielding efforts, with Pakistan effecting a crucial run-out and Australia maintaining sharp catches.
Post-Match Reflections
Australia’s victory underscored their ability to handle pressure in crunch situations. Their mix of young talent and experienced campaigners has made them a formidable side in the T20 format.
Pakistan, on the other hand, showed glimpses of brilliance but will need to address their top-order fragility to bounce back in the final game of the series.
The win not only gave Australia a 2-0 lead in the three-match series but also provided valuable momentum ahead of upcoming T20 challenges.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will be keen to regroup and deliver a stronger performance in the third T20I.
Conclusion
The second T20I between Pakistan and Australia was a thrilling contest that highlighted the intensity and unpredictability of T20 cricket. While Australia emerged victorious, Pakistan’s fightback ensured the game remained competitive till the final over.
Fans can now look forward to the third match, where Pakistan will aim to salvage pride, and Australia will seek a clean sweep.
Also Read: Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI: Pakistan’s Dominant Win in Adelaide
