Chief Scores: Pakistan 198/5 (20 overs): (Salman Agha 76 (40), Usman Khan 53 (36), Shadab Khan 28* (20) Adam Zampa 1/27, Cooper Connolly 1/30)
Australia 108 all out (15.4 overs): (Cameron Green 35 (20), Matthew Short 27 (23)
Abrar Ahmed 3/14, Shadab Khan 3/26)
Pakistan stormed to a thumping 90-run victory over Australia in the second T20I at a raucous Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday night, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and underlining their growing authority in home conditions.
Asked to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan recovered from an uncertain start to post a formidable 198 for 5, driven by a commanding captain’s knock from Salman Agha and excellent support from Usman Khan. Australia’s reply never gathered momentum as Pakistan’s spinners tore through the visitors’ batting, bowling them out for just 108 in 15.4 overs.
Pakistan’s innings began shakily with Sahibzada Farhan edging Matthew Kuhnemann in the second over, but Saim Ayub counter-attacked in typically aggressive fashion. His 23 from just 11 balls, peppered with crisp boundaries, briefly put Australia on the back foot before he was trapped lbw by Cooper Connolly. The early loss of Babar Azam for a subdued two could have unsettled the hosts, but it instead brought together the match-defining partnership.
Salman Agha produced a captain’s innings of the highest quality, blending power with placement in a fluent 76 off 40 deliveries. He dominated the spinners and punished anything short, striking eight fours and four sixes to keep the scoreboard racing. At the other end, Usman Khan provided solidity and intent in equal measure, compiling a well-paced 53 from 36 balls. Their 112-run stand for the fourth wicket broke the back of Australia’s attack and lifted Pakistan beyond 150 by the 16th over.
The finishing touches were supplied by Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, who plundered 37 runs off the final three overs. Nawaz’s unbeaten nine from three balls, including two boundaries, epitomised Pakistan’s ruthless close as they surged to nearly ten an over.
Chasing 199, Australia needed early momentum but found themselves strangled by disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. Travis Head fell cheaply, bowled by Saim Ayub, while Mitchell Marsh showed brief resistance before being pinned lbw by Abrar Ahmed. The leg-spinner was outstanding, ripping through Australia’s top order with figures of 3 for 14 from three overs, repeatedly beating bat and pad.
Cameron Green threatened a counter-attack with a brisk 35 from 20 balls, but his dismissal to Usman Tariq effectively ended Australia’s hopes. From 76 for 6, the innings unraveled rapidly. Shadab Khan was relentless, claiming three wickets in the middle overs, while Nawaz and Tariq maintained the squeeze from the other end.
Australia lost four wickets for just 22 runs as Pakistan’s spinners operated with precision and confidence. The final blow came when Matthew Kuhnemann was caught off Usman Tariq, sealing a comprehensive victory that reflected Pakistan’s dominance across all departments.
With the series already secured, Pakistan will head into the final T20I brimming with confidence, while Australia are left searching for answers after a sobering night in Lahore.
Salman Agha made a blazing half century
