Spencer Johnson (5-26) and (32 off 17) powered Australia to the brilliant 13-run victory against Pakistan to clinch the three-match T20I series 2-0 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 148, Pakistan were bundled out for 134, with Usman Khan (52 off 38) notching up a fifty.
Irfan Khan had remained unbeaten 37 off 28, showing great commitment with the bat of late, but it was not enough as Pakistan lost wickets in quick succession after Usman’s wicket.
Babar Azam made his comeback as opener with Rizwan, but he could not deliver and was removed by Bartlett on run-a-ball.
Babar’s wicket mounted pressure on Rizwan, who took 26 balls to reach 16 before he was undone by Spencer, who had a brilliant outing with the bowl.
McGurk’s wicket started the slide and it went quickly downhill thereafter. Short was the top-scorer for Australia, amassing a 17-ball 32.
Aaron Hardie and Glenn Maxwell contributed 28 and 21 respectively.
Tim David consumed 19 deliveries to score 18 before he was removed by Haris Rauf.
Marcus Stonis scored 15-ball 14. Captain Josh Inglis was removed by Rauf on 0.
Xavier Bartlett could only reach 9-ball 5. Rauf was outstanding with the bowl and took four wickets. Afridi had picked up three wickets but merely conceded 17 runs.
Sufiyan Muqeem took two wickets. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah remained wicketless.
