All-round performance by Saim Ayub and a miserly spell of mystery spin by Abrar Ahmed helped Pakistan defeat Australia by 22 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Gaddafi stadium on Thursday night.
Australia were restricted to 146-8 in 20 overs while chasing down Pakistan’s total of 168-8 as Pakistani spinners took control of the proceedings in the second half of the Australian innings with Abrar Ahmed conceding only 10 runs for two wickets off four overs while Saim Ayub grabbed two wickets for 29 runs in three overs. Muhammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan picked one wicket each for 25 runs in four and three overs respectively. Shaheen Shah Afridi remained wicketless as he gave away 29 runs off three overs.
Adam Zampa and Bartlett’s 34-run partnership is the highest for the 9th wicket in T20Is for Australia, breaking the record of 23 between Clint McKay and Coulter-Nile while the other significant partnership of 40 runs was between Cameroon Green and Matt Renshaw for the third wicket. Cameroon Green 36 (31) was the highest run-getter for Australia while Xavier Bartlett returned unbeaten on 34 off 25 balls. In a useful cameo Bartlett hit three boundaries and two towering 6s. No other batters could help Australia overhaul a not too big total on a sluggish Gaddafi stadium pitch.
Australia were well placed with the team total at 52-2 at the close of the power-play but the things went awry as the comparatively inexperienced middle order could not deal with the pressure and Australia fell 22 runs short of the target.
Australia, with five senior cricketers already rested for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20I World Cup, had played three debutants including Jack Edwards, Mahli Beardman and Matt Renshaw while the team was led by stand-in-captain Travis Head.
Travis Head played a trademark blitz as he hit two boundaries and as many 6s in a knock of 23 runs off 13 balls while opening the batting with Matthew Short but it was not his evening. Matthew Short fell cheaply and so did Cooper Connolly.
Travis Head admitted that it was disappointing to lose but he praised the three debutants for playing well. He praised Mahli and Xavier Bartlett besides all reliable Adam Zampa.
“We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out. We have two more opportunities before we head to Sri Lanka, and we want to continue playing as well as we can. Even though the result didn’t go our way today, there are things we did well and areas we can improve,” he responded at the post-match ceremony.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first Pakistan did not have good start to the series opener as they lost Sahibzada Farhan for a golden duck but an excellent partnership of 74 runs in 7.4 overs for the second wicket between opener Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha helped Pakistan put up a strong total, if not commanding, of 168-8. Saim Ayub played a blistering knock of 40 (22) while Salman scored 39 off 27 balls. Salman Agha hit four 6s in his short knock.
Another partnership of 37 runs off 33 ball between Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman ensured that Pakistan score respectable total as the ball had started to grip with the softening of the ball. Babar Azam scored useful 24 (20) which included one boundary and a six. Wicket-keeper batter Usman Khan scored useful 18 (16).
Adam Zampa was accurate and deceptive and claimed four top-order scalps for 24 runs including Saim, Salman, Babar and Usman. Debutant Mahli Beardman and Xavier Bartlett claimed a brace.
Saim Ayub was adjudged Player of the Match for his all-round performance with the bat and ball. Pakistan will meet Australia in the second T20I of the series at the same venue on January 31 (Saturday) at 4 pm (PST).