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28 March 2024

Cricket's big Dubai Eid bash: Aussies thrash Pakistan in T20

Rival skippers Aaron Finch (left) of Australia and Shahid Afridi of Pakistan hold the T20 trophy at the unveiling ceremony on Saturday in Dubai . (Courtesy PCB)

Published
By Cricket Correspondent & Agencies

Three debutant bowlers and a typically rampaging innings from David Warner helped Australia coast to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in their sole Twenty20 international in Dubai on Sunday.

The win meant Aaron Finch began his stint as T20 captain in style to boost the tourists ahead of the three-match one-day series starting on Tuesday.

Debutants Cameron Boyce, Kane Richardson and Sean Abbott all took wickets in their first overs to restrict Pakistan to 96-9 under the lights. Boyce ended up with two for 10 while stalwart Glenn Maxwell picked up three for 13.

Warner then led the assault on the easily gettable total, reaching his fifty by smashing a switch-hit six. He finished on 53 not out off 39 balls as Australia made their target in 14 overs.

AUSTRALIA INNINGS

David Warner smashed an unbeaten 53 from only 39 deliveries including four boundaries and three sixes as Australia secured a comfortable six-wicket victory in the only Twenty20 match over Pakistan in the Dubai International stadium on Sunday.

Needing a mere 97 to win, Warner played a comfortable knock though Australia lost a few quick wickets early on.

Maxwell was the other scorer to hit a 10-ball 17 as Australia surpassed the target in just 14 overs.

Earlier, Pakistan endured a terrible day at the Dubai Stadium after a batting collapse left them at 96 for nine in 20 overs.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Pakistan lost wickets frequently with only Saad Nasim (25) reaching double figures among the top and middle order batsmen.

Wahab Riaz (16) and Raza Hasan (13 not out) played brief cameos lower down the order.

For Australia, it was Glenn Maxwell who was the star bowler as he claimed the first three wickets to dent Pakistan early on.

Cameron Boyce claimed two.

Warner gets his half century as Australia overhaul the target to register a six-wicket win. Aus 98-4 in 14 overs.

It's all going easy for Australia as Warner reaches 41 from 31 balls. He hammers Nasim to a boundary and a six as he makes the equation all the more simple. Aus now need 16 from 48 with still six wickets in hand. Aus 81-4 in 12 overs.

Australia lose another as Hughes departs. Australia is in a comfortable position and there was absolutely no necessary for such shots. He top edges to hole one for an easy high catch to Maqsood. Aus 56-4 in 8.4 overs.

Philip Hughes c Sohaib Maqsood b Wahab Riaz 6 (8b 1x4 0x6)

Australia slipping into a difficult situation with another the loss of wicket. Smith offers a simple catch to Riaz off Hasan bowling. Aus: 42-3 in 6.4 overs.

Steven Smith c Wahab Riaz b Raza Hasan 3 (6b 0x4 0x6) 

Afridi strikes immediately after he begins to bowl. He traps Maxwell to keep the game alive. Aus 38-2 in 5.2 overs.

Glenn Maxwell lbw b Shahid Afridi 17 (10b 3x4 0x6)

That's what Pakistan needed as skipper Finch is gone attempting a sweep shot. Pak 11-1 in 2.3 overs.

Aaron Finch c Mohammad Irfan b Raza Hasan 5 (9b 1x4 0x6) 

It's easy going for Australia as they reach 11 for no loss in 2 overs. Pakistan need wickets at this stage.

It should be an easy one for Australia as Warner and skipper Finch start for Australia. Pakistan can make this an interesting one with only some early wickets.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

Pakistan doesn't look to even reach the three-digit score as Riaz also departs. His pull shot does not get the distance for a good catch from Starc. Pak 86-9 in 18.2 overs.

Wahab Riaz c Starc b Faulkner 16 (20b 1x4 0x6) 

Starc picks his first wicket as he rattles Nasim's stumps. He went a little too much to make room. Pak 71-8 in 16 overs.

Saad Nasim b Starc 25 (32b 0x4 0x6)

Nasim batting on 24 as he remains the hope for Pakistan to see some good score. Pak 68-7 in 15 overs.

Nothing going right for Pakistan at the moment as they lose another wicket. Ali departs to give Boyce his second wicket. Pak 57-7 in 12.3 overs.

Anwar Ali c Richardson b Boyce 5 (11b 0x4 0x6)

A slow partnership coming together finally for Pakistan as Anwar Ali and Saad Nasim put on 10 runs. Pak 56-6 in 12 overs.

Abbott takes his first T20 wicket and he will cherish this for a long time as he removes Afridi trapping in front. Pakistan in deep trouble. Pak 46-6 in 9.4 overs.

Shahid Afridi lbw b Abbott 2 (3b 0x4 0x6) 

Pakistan are in deep trouble as they lose the important wicket of Umar Akmal. He played a terrible shot as Warner takes a high catch comfortably. Pakistan need a partnership if they have to get out of this situation. Pak 36-5 in 7.5 overs.

Umar Akmal c Warner b Richardson 1 (5b 0x4 0x6)

Boyce takes his first wicket for Australia and in his very first over. Shehzad was the only batsmen who had to an extent settled in and he is gone. Pak 33-4 in 6.4 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad c Finch b Boyce 10 (20b 2x4 0x6) 

Pakistan batsmen struggling to play Maxwell. Maqsood survived being stumped the opening ball after Haddin missed the opportunity but Maxwell bowled him three balls later. The part time spinner has got all the three wickets. Pak 23-3 in 4.3 overs.

Sohaib Maqsood b Maxwell 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)


Maxwell is on a roll as he picks another to make it two in the same over. Amin departs for a naught after being stumped by Haddin. Pak 13-2 in 3 overs.

Umar Amin st Haddin b Maxwell 0 (3b 0x4 0x6) 

Pakistan lose a quick one with Zia departing offering a simple catch to Richardson off Maxwell bowling. Pak 13-1 in 2.3 overs

Awais Zia c Richardson b Maxwell 3 (7b 0x4 0x6) 

A fine over from Starc barring the last ball where Shehzad cracks a fine boundary through the point area. Pak 11-0 in 2 overs. 

Shehzad and Zia open for Pakistan. Maxwell takes the ball to open the proceedings for Australia. Pak 3-0 in 1 over.

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi wins toss and opts to bat first. The dew factor should be in their minds. He says this is a great chance for youngsters to prove their worth.

Playing XI: 

Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Awais Zia, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Umar Amin, Shahid Afridi, Saad Nasim, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Raza Hasan, Mohammad Irfan

Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Phillip Hughes, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin†, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Cameron Boyce

PREVIEW

For all you cricket lovers, especially the Pakistanis, it is time.

It is the start of 15 days of high-octane action at the Dubai International Stadium and the opening bout is set to be a, cue Rameez Raja, humdinger!

First things first. If you don't have your ticket yet, the Dubai Sports City ticket office is working overtime. 

The last time these two sides locked horns in a Twenty20 International at the Dubai International Stadium, in 2012, there was a total sell-out and officials at Dubai Sports City are gearing up for a similar public response this time.

Ticket sales are on at Match Day Ticket Office (next to the venue) and will then continue until all tickets are sold out.
 
Ticket prices starting at Dh40.

Fact check

Pakistan Cricket ‏@PCB_INFO

Pakistan vs Australia; Only T20: Total Matches played against each other 12 . Pak Won 7 Aust Won 4, NR 1#PakVAus

Men that matter

Pakistan, who were World Twenty20 champions in 2009, will be without their key spinner Saeed Ajmal who is suspended from international cricket after his bowling action was found illegal last month.

Ajmal had been single-handedly shouldering Pakistan’s bowling attack, having taken 85 wickets in 63 Twenty20 matches — the highest by any bowler in this format.

If Ajmal’s loss wasn’t enough, spinner and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was also ruled out of the Twenty20 and three one-days after injuring a hand during a practice game on Friday night.

Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi said Hafeez’s loss added more responsibilities onto the team’s youngsters.

“Hafeez always plays a key role and it’s unfortunate to lose him,” said Afridi on Saturday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. “But this gives an opportunity to youngsters to fill in and show their talent. I am confident with the side we have.”

Pakistan have included left-arm spinner Raza Hasan to replace Ajmal and also have an exciting leg-spinning all-rounder in Saad Nasim who is uncapped at this level.

Afridi hopes he will be able to guide the young squad towards the 2016 World Twenty20.

“We don’t have to look back, who is not available. We have to think of rebuilding the squad for the 2016 World Twenty20,” said Afridi.

Australia too have a new captain in Aaron Finch who took over after George Bailey stood down to concentrate on one-day cricket.

Finch also has a young squad at his disposal after experienced all-rounder Shane Watson was ruled out of the full tour with an ankle injury.

His likely replacement Mitchell Marsh was also out of the tour due to a hamstring injury.

Paceman Pat Cummins will also miss out due to his involvement in a Twenty20 tournament in India, but dashing hitter Glenn Maxwell and uncapped leg-spinner Cameron Boyce have joined the squad.

Australia are also able to include Phil Hughes, Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon — part of the touring party — for Sunday’s game.

Teams (from):

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Awais Zia, Umar Akmal, Umar Amin, Sohaib Maqsood, Saad Nasim, Raza Hasan, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Bilawal Bhatti, Anwar Ali, Sohail Tanvir.

Australia: Aaron Finch (captain), David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Phil Hughes, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Cameron Boyce.

Pakistan v Australia

Sunday October 5 - Twenty20 International

Friday October 10 – One-Day International

October 22 to 26 – Test match (free entry)
 
Pakistan v New Zealand

November 17 to 21 – Test match (free entry)

Thursday December 4 – Twenty20 International

Friday December 5 – Twenty20 international

Monday December 8 – One-Day International