SYDNEY: Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by Haris Rauf, made a remarkable comeback and restricted Australia to 147/9 in the second T20I of the three-match series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday.
Australia, opting to bat first, started strong with openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short, who hit Pakistan's pacers for 48 runs in the first three overs. However, Pakistan's captain Mohammad Rizwan made a crucial decision by introducing Haris Rauf, who struck twice in his first over, dismissing Fraser-McGurk and skipper Josh Inglis.
Fraser-McGurk, who scored 20 off nine balls, was followed by the dismissal of Short in the next over, leaving Australia at 56/3. Short was the top scorer for Australia with 32 runs off 17 balls, including two fours and two sixes.
After the early blows, all-rounders Marcus Stoinis (14) and Glenn Maxwell (21) formed a 30-run partnership, but both were dismissed by Sufiyan Muqeem.
Haris Rauf continued to dominate, claiming two more wickets – Tim David (18) and Xavier Bartlett (5) – finishing with impressive figures of 4/22 in four overs. Abbas Afridi bowled brilliantly in the final over, conceding just six runs and taking two wickets, ending with 3/17. Pakistan’s bowlers restricted Australia to a modest total.
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