Pak v Aus T20 2: Pak Win series 2-0

by Vinay Anand

Mohammed Aamer Pakistan’s new found success helped Pakistan gain crucial advantage over the Australian’s before the test series begins. The pacer provided some vital runs in the back end of the Pakistani innings before returning figures of 3-27 of his stipulated 4 Overs.

pakistan cricket team

Pakistan for the second time in a row won the toss and chose to bat on a very similar wicket to the previous encounter the teams had a day earlier. Pakistan went in with an unchanged line up while the Australian’s decided to rest a couple of players before the test series. Both, Watson and Smith were rested giving Hopes and debutant O’keefe an opportunity.

Australia surprisingly decided to begin with off spinner David Hussey and tasted success early on as Hasan in attempt to heave Hussey over the leg side was caught wanting in front of the stumps. Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal provided crucial runs in context of the match as the duo put on a quick fire 61 for the second wicket. Young O’ Keefe was introduced into the attack as he got rid of Butt for 31. He went on to pick up 3 crucial scalps as the Australians attempted to reduce Pakistan to a modest total. However, that was not to be as the middle and lower middle order of the ‘Home team’ chipped in with some vital cameos thus collectively helping Pakistan to reach a score of 162. Mainstays Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi both struck big before Nannes accounted for them. The Australian’s never really let Pakistan get away from them however the latter clawed their way to a respectable total.

Australia were without their opener and big impact player Shane Watson when they came out to bat. Michael Clarke stepped in along with David Warner. Michael Clarke put on display some brilliant T20 form which is only a rarity from him as he showed the world that he can play the format too. He struck a 17 ball 30 before inside edging Aamer onto his stumps leaving Australia staring down the barrel at 33 for 3. Shoaib Akhtar ran in and put straight Monday night’s performance as he constantly hit the 95 mph mark. David Warner had himself given L.B.W unfortunately as Hawkeye showed the ball to be going down the leg side.

Australia elevated Tim Paine to number 3 which didn’t seem to hold much for the match as he was dismissed trying an ugly swipe of Akhtar. The trio of David Hussey (33), James Hopes (30) and Cameron White (7) broke the shackles temporarily before the spin duo of Ajmal and Afridi accounted for them. It was down to finisher Michael Hussey once again but he couldn’t come up with the goods this time around as Gul trapped him L.B.W as Hussey tried to reverse sweep a middle stump delivery. Australia had a couple of decisions going against them in Johnson and Warner. Nevertheless, the Pakistan outfit looks a confident one and wrapped up the Australian innings for 151.

Looking forward to the test series you would assume that the Australian’s would white wash the 2 match series with the kind of batting they have but one can’t lowball the Pakistan bowling line up which boasts of Aamer, Gul and Asif. Throw in Ajmal and they seem a potent attack. However, it will be intriguing to see what their skipper Shahid Afridi will do. One knows his approach with the bat but it will be very interesting to see his bowling. His darts and off spinners will be of no use in test cricket. He would have to slow up his pace and get the ball to grip if he has to cause any problem to the Australian batters. The series is a shade under a week away and the Australian’s will be keen to win it considering they haven’t been able to win a Test series in England since 2001. As far as the Pakistani’s are concerned they will be hoping that their batting comes good. It remains to be seen whether this young, confident and mercurial side will be able to face and withstand their game for 5 days.