T20I
Flickr photo by www.davidmolloyphotography.com shared under a Creative Commons (BY 2.0) license.

Pakistan tame Australia to retain T20I supremacy

Alvina Ahmed·
Twenty20 (T20)
·1 Comment·

Pakistan needed to win only one T20I in the series to retain their position at the top – but managed to do it in style by winning all three…

Australia’s tour to the UAE began with a two-match test series, the first of which was a draw. After registering their biggest test win (by runs) in the second test, Pakistan successfully managed to bag the series. It was time for the two sides to clash again in the 20-over format. The T20I series, comprised of three matches, brought with it a chance for Australia to climb to the top of the ICC T20I team rankings for the first time ever. Little did they know, Pakistan had no intention of vacating their spot.

The T20 series was expected to be an interesting battle for the top between the two sides, but the visitors were in complete disarray. After restricting Pakistan to 155-8 in 20 overs in the first T20I, the Australian team collapsed for just 89 runs. This was their third lowest T20I total. Imad Wasim and Faheem Ashraf starred for Pakistan with the ball.

The second T20I looked well in Australia’s reach as they tried to chase 148. The match came down to the last over and Australia needed 23 runs to level the series. However, Shaheen Afridi, despite his limited experience, held his nerve to not only defend those runs but also take two crucial wickets including Glenn Maxwell’s, who was the highest run-scorer for Australia in the match. The match resulted in Pakistan winning by 11 runs and clinching yet another T20I series win. It ended up being Pakistan’s 10th consecutive T20I series victory – a record streak.

The third T20I, which the Australians hoped would be some sort of a saving grace, was no better. Pakistan had a very good start with the bat and for a while, a score of 170+ seemed inevitable. The men in yellow, however, struck back just in time to restrict Pakistan to 150. The Australian batting line-up also was off to a resolute start. Their openers, who had struggled to play Imad in the earlier matches, appeared to have finally figured him out. But there’s a reason Pakistan is known for its remarkable bowling line-up.

It was Shadab Khan who showed why he ranks second in the ICC T20I bowlers’ rankings and took 3 wickets for 19 runs. A special mention must be given to Shoaib Malik’s three outstanding catches that won the match for Pakistan. Hence, the series ended with Pakistan whitewashing Australia.

Pakistan have now bowled their opposition out 30 times in T20Is in total – the most by any team in the format. Babar Azam, who has been in superb form, also reclaimed the top spot in the ICC rankings for T20I batsmen. This is Babar’s third time topping the charts in the past year. After his three remarkable catches in the last match, Shoaib Malik has now taken 45 catches in total in T20Is. No other fielder has taken more catches in this format. All in all, the series proved extremely beneficial for Pakistan – especially after what happened in the Asia Cup.

As of 31st October, Pakistan have begun playing another series against New Zealand. The results of the past few matches show that the team appears to be in good form. However, Pakistan’s batting failures cannot be ignored. Pakistan may have won all three T20Is, but not a single one went by without the fans witnessing Pakistan’s middle-order collapse. If the players are to continue their winning streak, they must work on their batting. After all, how long will the bowling cover up the cracks in the batting line-up?