Pakistan managed to survive a late onslaught from Glenn Maxwell to clinch an 11-run win over Australia, that effectively seals the three-match series 2-0 in their favour.
Defending a low total of 147, the Pakistan bowlers managed to restrict Australia who fell short of the target by 11 runs as they woeful trip to the UAE rolls on.
Batting first, Pakistan got off to a sedate start with Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman scoring 29 runs for the opening stand before the latter was dismissed by Coulter-Nile on the last ball of the fourth over.
But the experience of Mohammad Hafeez and the exuberance of the young Azam seemed to work well for Pakistan as the duo stitched a timely 50-run stand. But Hafeez fell to the lanky Billy Stanlanke with a short ball and with Azam’s dismissal in a short space of time, Pakistan were looking down the barrel and cameos from Shoaib Malik and Faheem Ashraf took them to 147/6 at the end of their allotted 20 overs.
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However, the leg-spin–off-spin combination of Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan seemed to work well for Pakistan as the duo strangled the Australian top-order, reducing the visitors to 31/3 at one stage. However, when all looked bleak for them, it was a fiery 52 of just 37 balls that helped revive Australian hopes of a revival. The hard-hitting right-hander, known for his ability to clear the rope at will struck four fours and half the number of sixes as he along Coulter-Nile helped bring their team close to the total.
But Pakistan eventually came out victorious, bringing up Sarfraz Ahmed’s 10th successive T20I series win as captain.
Brief scores: Pakistan 147 for 6 (Babar Azam 45, Mohammad Hafeez 40, Nathan Coulter-Nile 3-18) beat Australia 136 for 8 ( Glenn Maxwell 52, Shadab Khan 2-30) by 11 runs.
Image credit-Cricbuzz