By Asif Naveed
LAHORE (MNN); Pakistan clinched the T20 International series against Australia on Saturday with a commanding 90-run win in the second match at Gaddafi Stadium, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Captain Salman Ali Agha played a captain’s knock, registering his highest-ever T20 score, as Pakistan posted their biggest T20I total against Australia before their spinners dismantled the visitors’ batting line-up.
Agha struck a 40-ball 76, while Usman Khan smashed a brisk 36-ball 53, guiding Pakistan to 198 for 5, the highest T20I total Pakistan have scored against Australia.
Pakistan’s spin attack then dominated the contest, with all ten Australian wickets falling to spinners. Abrar Ahmed led the attack with impressive figures of 3 for 14, while Shadab Khan claimed 3 for 26.
Australia were bundled out for 108 in 15.4 overs, handing Pakistan their largest T20I victory over Australia, surpassing the previous 66-run win recorded in Abu Dhabi in 2018.
“It was a perfect game for us,” Agha said after the match. “We batted well, bowled exceptionally and our fielding was outstanding.”
Pakistan’s victory followed their 22-run win in the series opener on Friday, also played in Lahore.
Looking ahead, Agha said the team would maintain the same intensity despite sealing the series. “We want to forget the 2-0 scoreline, play with the same energy and carry this momentum into the World Cup,” he said, referring to the tournament starting on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Pakistan’s first T20I series win over Australia since 2018. The final match of the series will be played on Sunday at the same venue.
Despite the return of captain Mitchell Marsh, who was rested in the first match, Australia struggled against Pakistan’s spin bowling. Abrar Ahmed dismissed Marsh for 18, Josh Inglis for five and Matthew Short for 27.
Cameron Green top-scored for Australia with a 20-ball 35 before being dismissed by Usman Tariq, who finished with figures of 2 for 16.
Marsh admitted Pakistan were the superior side. “Pakistan outplayed us completely. They put us under immense pressure, and they scored well above what was a 160 to 170 pitch,” he said.
Earlier, Pakistan built a strong total after opting to bat first. Agha and Saim Ayub added 55 runs for the second wicket, helping Pakistan race to 72 runs in the powerplay. Saim contributed a quick 23 off 11 balls.
After Babar Azam was dismissed for two, Usman Khan joined Agha to add 49 runs for the fourth wicket before the partnership was broken.
Agha struck eight fours and four sixes in his sixth T20 half-century. Pakistan added 61 runs in the final five overs, with Usman Khan and Shadab Khan accelerating the scoring.
Usman and Shadab added 63 runs for the fifth wicket, with Shadab remaining unbeaten on 28 off 20 balls.
Australian bowlers Xavier Bartlett and Matthew Kuhnemann struggled, conceding 92 runs between them in eight overs.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the national team on their “phenomenal performance” in a post on X, praising the players, team management and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for their dedication.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also congratulated the team, lauding their teamwork and expressing hope that they would continue to meet the nation’s expectations
