Spencer Johnson's outstanding performance, claiming five wickets, helped Australia secure a 13-run victory over Pakistan in the second Twenty20 International (T20I) on Saturday, clinching the series 2-0.
Pakistan, chasing 148 to win, struggled from the start and found themselves at 44-4 after losing key wickets. Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed for 16, while Salman Agha was out for a duck, both falling to Johnson as he dominated the top order with three quick wickets.
Usman Khan fought back with a defiant 52 after being dropped by Matthew Short, but Johnson struck again, removing him as part of his impressive five-wicket haul. Johnson’s final breakthrough came when he dismissed Abbas Afridi for four, finishing with figures of 5-26. Despite a late counter-attack from Irfan Khan, who remained unbeaten on 37, Pakistan fell short, ending their innings at 134 when Haris Rauf was run out with just 16 runs needed from the last over.
Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers fought back to restrict Australia to 147-9. Australia’s openers, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short, had a strong start, blasting five boundaries and three sixes in just 15 balls to take Australia to 50 runs in 3.1 overs. However, Rauf struck with key dismissals, including Fraser-McGurk for 20 and Josh Inglis for a duck.
Abbas Afridi and Rauf continued the pressure, dismissing Short for 32 and Marcus Stoinis for 14, thanks to a couple of dropped catches. Glenn Maxwell tried to accelerate but was dismissed for 21, leaving Australia at 95-5. Tim David survived a dropped catch by Babar Azam and hit Rauf for two fours before falling for 15. Rauf also removed Xavier Bartlett, marking his 107th T20I wicket, which tied him with Shadab Khan as Pakistan’s all-time T20I wicket leader.
Australia won the rain-shortened T20 series opener by 29 runs and will now look to finish the series on a high in the third and final match in Hobart on Monday.
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