Australia has taken a 1-0 lead in its three-match T20 series against Pakistan after emerging victorious from a frantic seven-over bash at the Gabba on Thursday.
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Chasing a 94-run target for victory, Pakistan suffered an early collapse of 4-4 from nine balls before crawling towards 9-64 to hand the Australians the 29-run win. Queensland seamer Xavier Bartlett claimed 3-13 from two overs to rip the heart out of Pakistan’s top order, while fellow quick Nathan Ellis also took three scalps, including Pakistan superstar Babar Azam.
MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs Pakistan first T20 scorecard
After the rain-affected series opener was delayed by more than two hours due to thunderstorms, the contest was reduced to a seven-over affair with a 12-ball Powerplay.
“A few of us had packed our bags expecting the game to be called off,” Australian batter Glenn Maxwell said during the post-match presentation.
“It was a pretty mad rush.”
Maxwell BANGS sixes in stellar over | 01:21
Australia managed 4-93 from its seven overs, with Maxwell cracking 43 (19) and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis providing some late fireworks with an unbeaten 21 (7). The hosts blasted 16 runs from the opening over before Maxwell, later named player of the match, started reverse-lapping Pakistan seamers through third man, plundering three sixes and five boundaries.
Meanwhile, Pakistan speedster Abbas Afridi impressed with two wickets during his lone over, removing Maxwell and pinch-hitter Tim David for 10. However, the tourists were guilty of some fielding misdemeanours in the final over, which cost 20 runs, aiding Australia’s cause with a sloppy misfield and a dropped chance.
“I don’t think it was a guess!” | 01:26
Spencer Johnson unearthed a breakthrough in the opening over of the run chase, removing Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan before Brisbane Heat teammate Bartlett dismissed rival captain Muhammad Rizwan for a duck, with the leading edge caught at point.
Pakistan was reeling at 5-16 in the third over when Usman Khan became Bartlett’s second victim and Ellis struck twice at the other end.
When Bartlett returned to the attack and toppled Salman Ali Agha, caught by Australian captain Josh Inglis after top-edging for 4, the match was all but over, with leg-spinner Adam Zampa taking back-to-back wickets at the death.
“At times tonight we didn’t think we were going to get a game in, so it’s really satisfying,” Inglis said after the match.
“I thought we did a great job, and nice to get that first win (as Australian captain).”
The second T20 between Australia and Pakistan gets underway at the SCG on Saturday at 7pm AEDT.
Aussies force early Pakistan collapse! | 00:55
UZZIE SPOTS BIG SHOW’S TELL
The majority of Maxwell’s runs on Thursday evening came through third man, with the Victorian switching his grip and nonchalantly reverse-lapping the Pakistan quicks.
However, as identified by Test opener Usman Khawaja, Maxwell provides a subtle hint when he’s going to attempt the premeditated shot, with his bat resting on the ground rather than dangling in the air.
“That’s his normal (stance for when) he’s gonna slog over mid-wicket or straight or wherever,” Khawaja explained on Fox Cricket.
“And the other one is bat down the whole way and reverse lap. I noticed he didn’t do it the first time, but he did do it the second and third time.”
Aus smash Pakistan in 7 over thriller! | 02:28
AUSSIE OPENERS FLOP AGAIN
The identity of David Warner’s successor remains up in the air after another failure from Australian openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short at the Gabba.
The duo had a disappointing ODI campaign against Pakistan last week, while neither reached double figures after the tourists won the toss and chose to bowl on Thursday.
Fraser-McGurk struck a couple of glorious boundaries before chipping a length delivery from seamer Naseem Shah to cover for 9, while Short holed out towards the square-leg boundary rider the following over for 7.
The two Victorians are running out of chances to cement their spot in Australia’s white-ball teams.
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