Australia vs Pakistan Highlights: Pakistan Wins by 9 Wickets in a Thrilling Match!
The highly anticipated clash between Australia and Pakistan at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 lived up to the hype, delivering a nail-biting encounter that saw Pakistan emerge victorious by a comfortable 9 wickets. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights from the match:
Australia's Batting Woes
Australia, despite boasting a formidable batting lineup, struggled to get going against a disciplined Pakistani bowling attack. The Aussies posted a below-par total of 127/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
- David Warner, Australia's star opener, looked dangerous early on but fell to Shaheen Shah Afridi for 17.
- Aaron Finch, the captain, also failed to make a significant impact, departing for 4.
- Glenn Maxwell, renowned for his power-hitting, was unable to capitalize on his start and was dismissed for 28.
- Marcus Stoinis, with a gritty 40 off 34 deliveries, was the only Australian batsman to show any real resistance.
Pakistan's Dominant Bowling Performance
Pakistan's bowlers were relentless, keeping a tight leash on the Australian batsmen throughout the innings.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf were the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets each.
- Afridi was particularly impressive, dismissing Warner, Finch, and Matthew Wade.
- Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan also chipped in with crucial wickets.
Pakistan's Chasing Masterclass
The target of 128 was never going to be challenging for a strong Pakistani batting lineup.
- Mohammad Rizwan (67 off 48 deliveries) and Babar Azam (51 off 46 deliveries) continued their impressive form, sharing a century stand to seal the victory for Pakistan.
- Rizwan was particularly impressive, taking the attack to the Australian bowlers.
- Pakistan reached the target in 16.1 overs, winning by 9 wickets.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan's bowlers were exceptional, restricting Australia to a low total.
- Rizwan and Babar Azam proved once again that they are one of the most formidable opening partnerships in T20 cricket.
- Australia will be disappointed with their batting performance but will need to quickly recover and regroup for their next match.
This victory cemented Pakistan's position as strong contenders for the T20 World Cup title. Their bowling attack looks formidable, while their batting lineup is capable of chasing down any target. It will be exciting to see how they perform in the upcoming matches.