Australia Triumph Over Pakistan in Rain-Shortened Thriller to Take 1-0 Series Lead
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| Australia win by 29 runs at the Gabba, leading the T20I series 1-0 / Getty |
In a rain-interrupted evening at the Gabba, Australia registered a comprehensive 29-run victory over Pakistan, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. Despite a nearly three-hour delay due to persistent rain, an exceptional effort by the ground staff ensured a quick turnaround, allowing for a seven-over match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Winning the toss, Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan opted to field, hoping to restrict Australia in the shortened format. However, after early breakthroughs with both Aussie openers dismissed cheaply, Australia’s Glenn Maxwell stepped up, living up to his "Big Show" moniker. Maxwell's blistering 43 off 19 balls set a strong foundation, hitting boundaries at will and disrupting the rhythm of Pakistan’s bowlers. Marcus Stoinis added a late surge with a swift 21 off just seven deliveries, powering Australia to a formidable total of 93/4 in their seven overs. Abbas Afridi stood out with the ball for Pakistan, picking up two wickets for a mere nine runs.
Facing a daunting chase, Pakistan struggled to find any momentum against Australia's disciplined bowling attack. Pacers Bartlett and Nathan Ellis unleashed a mix of slower balls and short-pitched deliveries that took advantage of the Gabba’s pace and bounce, dismantling Pakistan’s batting order. Wickets tumbled rapidly, with Pakistan reeling at 5/16 in just the third over. Only Abbas Afridi managed a spark of resistance with an unbeaten 20 off 10 balls, but his efforts came too late as Pakistan were restricted to 64/9 at the end of seven overs.
Australia’s bowlers displayed precision, and the team's fielding backed up their efforts to seal a well-rounded victory by 29 runs. With this win, Australia takes a 1-0 lead in the series and heads into the next match with a morale boost, while Pakistan will look to regroup and find answers to the Aussie attack in the upcoming games.
The second T20I promises another exciting clash, with Pakistan aiming to bounce back and Australia eager to continue their winning momentum.