Batting first, Australia on Saturday set a 148-run target for touring Pakistan in the second T20I being played in Sydney Cricket Ground.
As per detail,s Haris Rauf-led Pakistan’s bowling attack forced an astounding comeback and restricted Australia to 147/9 in the second T20I of the ongoing three-match series here at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday.
Opting to bat first, Australian openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short came out all guns blazing and smashed Pakistan pacers for 48 runs in the first three overs.
After a dismal start with the ball, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan’s decision to introduce Haris Rauf proved beneficial as the right-arm speedster struck twice in his first over, dismissing Fraser-McGurk and skipper Josh Inglis (0).
Fraser-McGurk scored 20 off just nine deliveries with the help of three fours and a six.
His opening partner Short, on the other hand, perished in the next over as Abbas Afridi reduced Australia to 56/3 in five overs.
Short remained the top-scorer for Australia with a 17-ball 32, laced with two fours and as many sixes.
Following the triple blow, all-rounders Marcus Stoinis (14) and Glenn Maxwell (21) looked to anchor the innings with a 30-run partnership for the fourth wicket but their efforts were quashed by Sufiyan Muqeem, who removed both batters in his successive overs.
Haris continued to unsettle Australia as the right-arm pacer bagged two more wickets – Tim David (18) and Xavier Bartlett (five) – and registered magnificent match figures of 4/22 in his quota of four overs.
Young pacer Abbas bowled an exceptional final over as he conceded only six runs and took two wickets to further dent Australia’s chances of posting a commendable total.
Abbas returned brilliant figures of 3/17 in his four overs, while Sufiyan claimed two wickets.
