Pakistan set Australia 199-run target in Second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan posted a daunting target of 199 runs against Australia in the second T20 International of the three-match series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, producing a dominant batting display after being asked to bat first.

The Green Shirts entered the contest with confidence, having taken a 1-0 lead following a 22-run victory in the opening match.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first after winning the toss proved decisive as the hosts piled up 198 for five in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was built on aggressive intent from the outset, despite an early setback.

Pakistan lost Sahibzada Farhan in just the second over, with the opener dismissed for five when the score stood at 17. However, the early loss did little to slow the momentum as Agha and Saim Ayub counter-attacked the Australian bowlers with fluent strokeplay.

Ayub played a rapid cameo, scoring 23 off just 11 balls, including four boundaries, before falling to Cooper Connolly on the penultimate delivery of the powerplay. Pakistan raced to 72 for two inside the first six overs, striking three sixes and ten fours during the fielding restrictions.

The hosts suffered another brief wobble when Adam Zampa removed Babar Azam for two, trapping the star batter lbw with the score on 76 for three in the eighth over. Australia sensed an opening, but Agha ensured Pakistan maintained control of the innings.

The skipper anchored the middle overs with authority, bringing up his half-century from just 25 deliveries, the second-fastest by a Pakistan captain in T20 internationals. He shared a vital 49-run stand with Shadab Khan, steadying the innings after consecutive dismissals and keeping the run rate comfortably above ten an over.

Agha’s impressive knock came to an end in the 13th over when Sean Abbott broke the partnership, dismissing the captain for a blistering 76 off 40 balls. His innings featured eight fours and four sixes and formed the backbone of Pakistan’s imposing total.

Wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan then took charge at the death, ensuring Pakistan finished strongly. Batting at number five, Usman registered his second T20I half-century, scoring 52 from 35 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes. He added a crucial 63-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Shadab, who contributed 28 from 20 balls.

Mohammad Nawaz provided a late flourish with a quick 10 off four deliveries, helping Pakistan push their total close to the 200-run mark. The innings ended at 198 for five, leaving Australia with a challenging chase under lights.

For Australia, the wickets were shared evenly, with Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Cooper Connolly and Sean Abbott each picking up one dismissal.

Pakistan squad

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq

Australia squad

Mitchell Marsh (c), Adam Zampa, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Josh Inglis, Josh Philippe, Mahli Beardman, Marcus Stoinis, Matt Short, Matthew Kuhnemann, Matthew Renshaw, Mitch Owen, Sean Abbott, Travis Head and Xavier Bartlett