Pakistan versus Australia T20I Series, 2024

1st T20I

Glenn Maxwell and the pacers has lead the Australia team to a 1-0 series advantage

Australia scored 93/4 in 7 overs, where as Pakistan scored 64/9 in 7 overs.

So, finally Australia beat Pakistan by 29 runs.

Glenn Maxwell’s explosive innings and a collective effort from Australia’s pace trio gave the home side a commanding 1-0 lead in the T20I series at the Gabba.

In a match reduced to seven overs per side due to persistent rain and lightning, Australia posted a daunting 93/4.

That total proved insurmountable for Pakistan, who never really threatened the chase.

As expected, Jake Fraser-McGurk took the attack to Pakistan from the outset after they chose to bowl first.

He struck back-to-back boundaries off Shaheen Afridi in the opening over, and Matthew Short finished it off with a six.

Pakistan briefly thought they had a breakthrough when Fraser-McGurk was dismissed for a well-hit catch at cover in the second over.

However, Maxwell entered with clear intent, using the reverse scoop to perfection and hitting Naseem Shah for four boundaries as Australia raced to 33 in just two overs.

Pakistan’s pacer Haris Rauf managed to slow the run rate with a brilliant over, conceding just three runs and dismissing Short.

But Maxwell continued to dominate at the other end, reverse sweeping Shaheen for a six over third man and then taking Rauf to task, smashing him for two sixes in an over.

Maxwell’s rampage was finally curtailed by Abbas Afridi, who also removed Tim David with a slower ball in the same over.

Australia’s late surge came courtesy of Marcus Stoinis, who ensured the innings finished strongly.

In the final over, bowled by Naseem, Stoinis hit a boundary down the ground before finishing with a six and a four, helping Australia surpass 90 runs.

Pakistan’s chase started with some early promise as Sahibzada Farhan smashed Spencer Johnson for consecutive boundaries.

But Johnson had the last laugh, dismissing Farhan just two balls later.

Xavier Bartlett then struck with his first delivery, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan for a leading edge caught at backward point.

Usman Khan’s brief resistance was cut short when Bartlett dismissed him too.

At 16/3, Pakistan’s situation worsened quickly, with Nathan Ellis striking twice in quick succession.

His trademark slower ball accounted for Babar Azam, and Irfan Khan followed soon after, falling for a two-ball duck.

By the time Ellis had made his mark, Pakistan were reduced to 16/5, with the chase all but over.

Abbas Afridi’s late boundary hitting did little to change the outcome, as Pakistan fell well short of the target.