Although Australia fielded a relatively stronger XI in the second T20, they were completely outclassed by an almost flawless Pakistan performance. Pakistan eventually won by a huge margin of 90 runs to clinch the series with one match still to play. In T20 internationals, it was Australia’s biggest defeat since 2005 and their second-largest overall. For Pakistan, it was their biggest-ever win over Australia.
Agha’s blistering knock lays the platform
Pakistan built a commanding total on the back of a superb innings from a resurgent Salman Agha. He powered his side with a career-best 76 off 40 balls. Usman Khan also registered his highest T20I score, making 53 off 36 and helping Pakistan reach 198.
As in the first match, Agha and Saim Ayub tore into the Australian attack in the powerplay. They added 55 runs in just 25 balls, and Pakistan raced to 72 in the powerplay—Pakistan’s third-highest powerplay score in T20Is.
Once Adam Zampa came into the attack, the run rate slowed slightly, and for the second match in a row he removed Babar Azam cheaply. Still, Australia never truly managed to bring Pakistan under control, which meant their batters were left with an even steeper task. Xavier Bartlett, in particular, bore the brunt of Pakistan’s aggression—he conceded 52 in his four overs, including 14 in the final over, as Pakistan pushed to the brink of 200.
Australia collapse as spinners tighten the noose
After falling well short in a chase of 169 on Thursday, chasing close to 200 was always going to be an enormous challenge. Even with experienced batters like Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis, Australia struggled against Pakistan’s well-drilled spin unit, which has a habit of breaking partnerships early. Australia’s highest partnership was only 24 runs, and Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan combined to take six wickets.
In the last over of the powerplay, Cameron Green took on Ayub with two sixes and a four—briefly hinting at a fightback. But Pakistan quickly shut that down and bowled Australia out for 108.
Agha–Ayub powerplay blitz
Earlier this month, in a rain-shortened match against Sri Lanka, Agha shattered the perception that he could not clear the ropes consistently by smashing 45 off just 12 balls. That cameo appears to have flipped a switch, and his aggressive approach has continued.
Promoted to No. 3—a position he seems to have made his own just before the World Cup—he set the tone immediately by dancing down the track first ball and finding the boundary.
Matthew Kuhnemann was punished in the fourth over as Pakistan sensed an opening with the powerplay still in effect. Two fours and a six took Pakistan past 50 in 4.1 overs, and a six off Cooper Connolly pushed Agha to 43 from his first 16 balls.
With the field spreading and Zampa introduced, a slowdown was inevitable, but Agha ensured Pakistan had already built enough momentum. He made it clear the end of the powerplay did not mean the end of the attack—hammering Zampa for a slog-swept six and then going after Bartlett in the next over. He eventually fell while attempting a reverse sweep, but only after completing a career-best 76 off 40.
Abrar’s powerplay burst dents Australia early
Zampa and Abrar Ahmed were the standout names in the first match. This time, while Australia waited until after the powerplay to bring Zampa on, Pakistan saw a chance to use Abrar early. With Marsh starting brightly, Abrar was introduced in the third over and immediately began working through his variations: a slower legbreak, a flipper, then a high, flighted delivery. Marsh hit one drag-down for six, but Abrar stayed brave and fired in the last ball to trap him on the front pad in front of the stumps.
After Ayub removed Travis Head, Abrar returned in the fifth over and dismissed Josh Inglis with a superb wrong’un that beat him completely and struck him plumb in front. By the end of the fifth over, Australia had slumped to 29 for 3, and the match was effectively beyond them.