Pakistan Crush Australia By 90 Runs, Seal Series With 2-0 Lead In Second T20I

Pakistan registered a commanding 90-run victory over Australia in the second T20 International at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, sealing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Captain Salman Ali Agha delivered a standout all-round leadership performance and was named Player of the Match for his match-winning half-century.

After being asked to bat first, Pakistan put up an imposing total of 198 for five in their allotted 20 overs. Salman Ali Agha led from the front with a fluent 76 off 40 balls, an innings that featured eight fours and four sixes. Wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan provided strong support at the other end, scoring 53 runs off 36 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes, as Pakistan maintained momentum through the middle and death overs.

Australia’s bowlers found little assistance on the surface, with wickets shared among the attack. Xavier Bartlett conceded 52 runs while picking up one wicket, Matthew Kuhnemann finished with figures of 1 for 40, Cooper Connolly claimed 1 for 30, Sean Abbott returned 1 for 33, and Adam Zampa took 1 for 27.

In response, Australia’s chase never gained traction as Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance to dismiss the visitors for just 108 runs in 15.4 overs. Abrar Ahmed starred with the ball, claiming three wickets for 14 runs, while Shadab Khan also chipped in with three wickets, conceding 26 runs. Mohammad Nawaz took 1 for 11, Usman Tariq picked up 2 for 16, and Saim Ayub contributed with 1 for 32 to complete a dominant bowling display.

Cameron Green was the lone bright spot for Australia with the bat, top-scoring with 35 off 20 balls, which included one four and two sixes, as wickets continued to fall regularly around him.

Speaking after the match, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh acknowledged Pakistan’s superiority on the night. “Well done to Pakistan, hopefully we turn around tomorrow. As I said, the series was still alive before today; Pakistan outplayed us. Hopefully, we can improve and come back tomorrow. They put us under great pressure in the power play; it was probably a 160-170 wicket. We have got experienced guys who know that partnerships are really important in run-chases. We were not able to do that today. So some really good lessons,” Marsh said.

Player of the Match Salman Ali Agha praised his team’s all-round performance and urged them to maintain the same intensity in the final game. “It has to be a perfect game. We batted well in the powerplay and middle and we were outstanding with the ball. Fielding was outstanding. I can easily say it was a perfect game for us and we want to replicate it tomorrow. That’s why I PRO myself No. 3: I know I can play spin well and intend to do the same in Sri Lanka. (On Usman Khan’s knock) We know he is a very good player of spin bowling, probably the best player in our team against spin. We knew his ability and we know it’s going to come soon. Hope he plays in the same way. We want to continue to play in the same way and I want the same from my team…. forget the 2-0 and come again (play in the same fashion). Hopefully we can come and entertain the Lahore crowd again tomorrow,” Agha said.

The third and final T20I of the series is scheduled to be played at the same venue in Lahore on February 1.