Pakistan gives Australia 118-run target, facing whitewash danger

Pakistan has set a target of 118 runs for the host team, Australia, in the 3rd T20 match, where the Green Shirts are facing the clear danger of a whitewash after losing both of their previous matches in the current T20 series.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first on Monday at Ninja Stadium in Bellerive, Australia. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and former captain Babar Azam started confidently and provided a solid opening stand.

At a total of 17, Sahibzada Farhan was caught by Xavier Bartlett off Spencer Johnson’s delivery after scoring 9 runs off 7 balls. Babar Azam continued his innings while wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah Khan joined him at the crease and contributed 24 runs off 19 balls.

Haseebullah was dismissed after being caught by Matt Short off Adam Zampa’s bowling, leaving Pakistan at 61 for 2. The third wicket fell when Usman Khan was dismissed for 3 runs off 4 balls, with Pakistan’s total standing at 64.

Pakistan lost its fourth wicket at a total score of 70 when captain Salman Ali Agha was dismissed lbw by Aaron Hardie after scoring just 1 run off 9 balls. Following his dismissal, Babar Azam and Irfan Khan began building a partnership to add more runs for Pakistan against Australia.

Former captain Babar Azam lost his wicket on 41 runs off 28 balls at a total score of 91, while Irfan Khan was dismissed shortly after him, making 10 runs off 8 balls at a total score of 92. Pakistan lost its 7th wicket at 92 runs, the 8th and 9th wickets at 166, and the 10th and final wicket at 117 runs.

Abbas Afridi was out on 1, Shaheen Afridi scored 16, Jahandad Khan made 5, and Sufiyan Muqeem was dismissed for 1 run. As a result, Australia is set to chase the target of 118 runs, which would give them a 3-0 series victory if they win against the Green Shirts.