Australia vs Pakistan: Abbas Afridi’s Crucial Breakthrough Slows Down Australia
Match Overview
The second T20I between Australia and Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground is underway, and it’s already shaping up to be an exciting contest. After a dominant performance in the first match, Australia is looking to seal the series, while Pakistan is desperate to bounce back and level the score. The intense rivalry between these two cricketing titans has captivated fans, with an exhilarating start featuring aggressive batting, skillful bowling, and strategic masterstrokes.
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Abbas Afridi’s Crucial Breakthrough
In the midst of Australia’s aggressive start, Pakistan found some much-needed respite when Abbas Afridi managed to remove Matthew Short. The dismissal came as a turning point, slowing down the run-fest that Australia had unleashed early on. Short, who looked set for a big score, was caught trying to accelerate, leaving Australia at 57/3 in just 5.3 overs. With wickets falling at regular intervals, Pakistan’s bowlers will look to tighten the screws and restrict Australia’s total.
Australia’s Fiery Opening
Australia’s openers, Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, came out with guns blazing. In the very first over, they launched an all-out assault on Pakistan’s ace bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, collecting 21 runs. Fraser-McGurk displayed his power-hitting skills, hammering multiple boundaries and a six to put Pakistan on the back foot immediately.
After a blistering start by the opposition, Pakistan’s bowling duo of Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah stepped up to significantly curb the scoring rate. The introduction of Haris Rauf into the attack proved to be a masterstroke, as he dismissed Fraser-McGurk with a short-pitched delivery that took the top edge.
Tactical Adjustments: The Captains Speak
Mohammad Rizwan’s Strategy
Before the match, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan emphasized the importance of maintaining a fighting spirit, especially after a tough loss in the first T20I. Rizwan opted to make a change in the playing XI by bringing in young bowler Sufiyan Muqeem. This decision was aimed at adding variety to Pakistan’s bowling lineup to counter Australia’s hard-hitting batsmen.
Josh Inglis’ Confidence Boost
On the other side, Australia’s skipper Josh Inglis chose to bat first after winning the toss, showcasing confidence in his side’s ability to set a challenging target. Inglis highlighted that despite the previous match being a shortened 7-over contest, it was crucial to carry forward the momentum from the win.
Key Moments of the Match
- First Over Carnage: Australia’s openers smashed 37 runs off the first two overs, setting the tone for an aggressive innings.
- Afridi’s Fightback: Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi regained his rhythm, producing some crucial dot balls in the powerplay to slow down the run rate.
- Haris Rauf Strikes Twice: The introduction of Haris Rauf changed the game. He dismissed both Fraser-McGurk and Josh Inglis in quick succession, bringing Pakistan back into contention.
Squads and Playing XI
Pakistan
- Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Agha Salman, Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem.
Australia
- Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis (c & wk), Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.
Where to Watch Live
For fans wanting to catch the action, the match is being live-streamed on the Disney+ Hotstar platform and broadcast on the Star Sports Network channels in India. With a scheduled start at 1:30 PM IST, it promises to be a thrilling afternoon for cricket enthusiasts.
FAQs
Q1: Who won the toss in the 2nd T20I between Australia and Pakistan?
Australia’s captain, Josh Inglis, won the toss and elected to bat first.
Q2: Who is leading the Pakistan side in this T20I series?
Mohammad Rizwan is the captain of the Pakistan team in this series.
Q3: How can I watch the Australia vs. Pakistan 2nd T20I live?
You can watch the match live on Disney+ Hotstar or tune in to Star Sports Network channels.
Q4: What was the score of Australia after the first 5 overs?
Australia was 57/3 after 5.3 overs, with key contributions from Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Conclusion
The second T20I between Australia and Pakistan has proven to be a thrilling encounter, with both sides showing moments of brilliance. As the match progresses, all eyes will be on Pakistan’s bowlers to see if they can restrict Australia to a manageable total and chase it down to keep the series alive. Stay tuned for more live updates as the action unfolds at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.
My name is Mohd Ali, and I’m a digital marketer, content writer, creator, video editor, and blogger. Every day, I share information related to cricket and football on my blog. I reside in the city of Hyderabad, and I completed my graduation from EIILM University, Sikkim. I am the founder of newsblog4u.com.
