Opener Babar Azam struck an unbeaten 68 while spinner Imad Wasim capped a return to international cricket with three wickets as Pakistan crushed Australia by 66 runs in Wednesday's opening T20I match in Abu Dhabi.
Azam hit five fours and a six in his 55-ball innings as Pakistan made 155 for 8 before Wasim (3-20) ripped apart Australia's top order as it slumped to 89 all out -- its joint-third lowest T20 score -- at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Read: Hope, Kohli tons light up thrilling tie
The win gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and also its biggest T20 victory over Australia, improving upon the 45-run win it achieved in Harare in July.
Only twice have Australia scored fewer runs in a T20 international, making just 79 against England at Southampton in 2005 and 86 in a defeat by India at Dhaka four years ago.
Left-arm spinner Wasim, playing his first match for Pakistan since October last year, bowled both Australian openers, Aaron Finch (nought) and D'Arcy Short (four), in the first over of its innings.
Medium pacer Faheem Ashraf, who finished with 2-10, then dismissed Glenn Maxwell (two) and Chris Lynn (14) to further derail the Australians.
Ben McDermott was run out without scoring before Wasim came back into the attack to dismiss Alex Carey for one, leaving Australia in tatters at 22-6.
Only a fighting knock of 34 from Nathan Coulter-Nile, the last man out, ensured Australia didn't succumb to its lowest T20 total.
Also read: Imrul leads Bangladesh to series win against Zimbabwe
Paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi finished with 2-23 while Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan took a wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan was lifted by Azam and Mohammad Hafeez (39) as they added 73 for the second wicket in quick time.
But once Hafeez fell in the 14th over, Pakistan lost six wickets for just 28 runs with skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, Ashraf and Wasim falling without scoring while Shadab made just one.
It was left to Azam to keep one end intact during his sixth T20 half-century while Hasan used the long handle effectively, hitting two boundaries and a six in a handy 17 off eight balls to help add 41 in the last five overs.
The second and third T20 internationals will be played in Dubai on Friday and Sunday.
Comments
SHARE