LAHORE (AM Khan): Pakistan delivered a commanding, all-round performance under lights at a packed Gaddafi Stadium to thump Australia by 90 runs in the second T20I on Saturday, sealing the three-match series 2-0 with a game to spare and underlining their growing dominance at home.
After electing to bat, Pakistan registered their highest-ever T20I total against Australia, posting an imposing 198-5. The foundation was laid by captain Salman Ali Agha, who struck a magnificent 76 off 40 balls, and wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan, whose fluent 53 ensured a strong finish. The total proved well beyond Australia’s reach as Pakistan’s spinners combined ruthlessness with control to bowl the visitors out for just 108 in 15.4 overs, Pakistan’s biggest T20I victory margin over Australia.
Pakistan’s innings began on a jittery note with Sahibzada Farhan departing early for five, but the early loss only served to bring Salman Agha to the forefront. The skipper quickly seized control alongside the explosive Saim Ayub, and the pair tore into the Australian attack during a rapid second-wicket stand. Saim’s 23 off just 11 balls, featuring four crisp boundaries, complemented Salman’s authority as Pakistan surged to 72 in the powerplay, their joint third-highest T20I powerplay total.
Australia briefly wrested momentum when Adam Zampa trapped Babar Azam lbw for two, reducing Pakistan to 76-3 in the seventh over. Yet Salman refused to relent as he brought up his sixth T20I half-century off just 25 balls, the second-fastest by a Pakistan T20I captain, and continued to dominate proceedings.
Sean Abbott eventually halted the onslaught in the 13th over, but not before Salman had thrilled the Lahore crowd with eight fours and four towering sixes. With Pakistan well placed at 125-4, Usman Khan took charge at the death and stitched a crucial 63-run partnership with Shadab Khan, ensuring momentum never dipped. Usman’s second T20I fifty came off 35 balls, while Shadab chipped in with an unbeaten 28 off 20 deliveries. M Nawaz provided late fireworks, striking two boundaries in a brisk cameo as Pakistan finished with 198.
Chasing a daunting 199, Australia were never allowed to settle. Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed struck the decisive early blows, pinning Mitchell Marsh leg-before and removing Josh Inglis and Matthew Short to derail the chase. Saim Ayub added to the pressure by dismissing Travis Head, while M Nawaz and Shadab tightened the screws in the middle overs.
Australia slumped to 54-5 and then 76-6 as wickets fell in clusters. Cameron Green’s counter-attacking 35 off 20 balls offered fleeting resistance, while Matthew Short’s 27 was the only other meaningful contribution. The innings disintegrated rapidly as Pakistan’s spinners hunted in a pack, with Shadab claiming three wickets and Usman Tariq chipping in with two. Abrar followed his impressive first T20I showing with match figures of 3-14, while Shadab returned 3-26, highlighting Pakistan’s growing spin depth and tactical clarity.
The emphatic victory extended Pakistan’s strong run at home, marking another series triumph since May 2025, and handed them an unassailable 2-0 lead. The third and final T20I will be played on Sunday at the same venue, where Pakistan will look to complete a clean sweep in front of their passionate home supporters.
SCORES IN BRIEF: Pakistan 198-5, 20 overs (Salman Ali Agha 76, Usman Khan 53; Adam Zampa 1-27) beat Australia 108 all out, 15.4 overs (Cameron Green 35; Abrar Ahmed 3-14, Shadab Khan 3-26) by 90 runs.
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