SYDNEY: Spencer Johnson’s impressive five-wicket haul helped Australia secure a 14-run victory over Pakistan in the second T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday, sealing the series.
Chasing 148, Pakistan managed only 134 before getting bowled out in the final over.
The visitors had a shaky start, losing key players Babar Azam (3) and Sahibzada Farhan (5) within the first three overs, leaving them at 17/2.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan attempted to rebuild but added only 27 runs before Spencer Johnson dismissed Rizwan in the 10th over. Johnson then removed Salman Ali Agha for a duck. Rizwan’s slow innings ended at 16 off 26 balls.
Australia’s Innings
Opting to bat first, Australia’s openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short started aggressively, putting 48 runs on the board in just three overs.
However, Haris Rauf’s introduction changed the game. He dismissed Fraser-McGurk (20 off 9 balls) and skipper Josh Inglis (0) in his first over.
Matthew Short top-scored for Australia with a brisk 32 off 17 balls, including two fours and two sixes, but Abbas Afridi dismissed him, reducing Australia to 56/3 after five overs.
Marcus Stoinis (14) and Glenn Maxwell (21) added 30 runs for the fourth wicket, but Sufiyan Muqeem dismissed both in consecutive overs.
Haris Rauf continued to shine, removing Tim David (18) and Xavier Bartlett (5) to finish with excellent figures of 4/22 in four overs.
Abbas Afridi also bowled a brilliant final over, giving away just six runs while taking two wickets. He ended with figures of 3/17 in four overs, while Sufiyan Muqeem picked up two wickets.
Pakistan’s Chase
Pakistan’s chase faltered early as Australia’s bowlers kept up the pressure. Despite a brief partnership between Rizwan and Usman Khan, the visitors couldn’t build momentum.
Spencer Johnson was the star for Australia, dismantling Pakistan’s middle and lower order to claim five wickets, securing the series win for his team.
