Pakistan defeated Australia by a margin of 90 runs in the second T20I, played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Captain Salman Agha’s superb knock and Abrar Ahmed’s three-wicket haul helped Pakistan take an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series.
The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first, but lost Sahibzada Farhan early. Agha then joined Saim Ayub at the crease, and the pair provided stability to the innings, adding 55 runs off 25 balls. Agha later stitched together another 49-run partnership with Usman Khan, which laid the foundation for a big score. However, Pakistan’s total of 198/5 would not have been possible without the 63-run partnership between Usman and Shadab Khan off 39 balls.
Agha played a captain’s knock of 76 off 40 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, at a strike rate of 190, while Usman contributed 53 off 36 balls. Adam Zampa was the pick of the Australian bowlers, finishing with figures of 1/27.
In reply, Pakistan’s bowlers were brilliant, taking wickets at regular intervals and never allowing the Australian innings to gain momentum. Apart from Cameron Green’s 35 and Matthew Short’s 27, none of the other batters showed much resistance. Abrar finished with figures of 3/14 at an economy rate of 4.70, while Shadab also took three wickets, conceding 26 runs in his four overs. Agha was adjudged Player of the Match for top-scoring in the game.
The final match of the series will be played at the same venue on February 1.
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