Pakistan vs http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, 2nd T20I: First Innings Report – Australia Restrict Pakistan to 162/9
Pakistan put up a decent total in the 2nd Twenty20 match against Australia at Birmingham; in the 20 overs, Pakistan ended at 162/9. Although the total is not as impressive, but almost at par with their first match total (where they scored 167/8), Pakistan should still fancy their chances, considering the form their bowling attack has been in recently. Having said that, Shoaib Akhtar will also have to come up with the goods if Pakistan are to successfully defend this total.
Once again, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 won the toss and elected to bat first. The pitch was the same as used in the first match, and with the sun out there was not expected to be too much movement off the track.
Michael Clarke decided to start with off-spinner David Hussey and the move actually paid off, as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahzaib-Hasan-c2488 once again failed to get off the mark and was trapped lbw on the 4th ball of the first over while going for a big slog sweep.
Once again, it was down to Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal to resurrect the innings, virtually playing as openers. The pair once again showed good mettle against the intimidating Australian bowling attack. Salman Butt, especially, was in great form and charged down the ground, repeatedly smashing the ball through the covers.
Kamran Akmal also joined the fun, welcoming Mitchell Johnson to the attack with an excellent hook shot; just like the first match, it was looking like Pakistan would have a good platform in the end to launch.
Kamran and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 on the bowling of Mitchell Johnson. Kamran scored 33 from 25 balls, with 4 fours and 1 six.
At 78 for 3 in the 10th over, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 was still in a stable condition. Shoaib Malik was also sent back with the score at exactly 100; Malik scored 12 from 16 balls before he was caught by O’ Keefe on the bowling of Dirk Nannes.
All now rested on Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi, but after a good 30 runs stand, both were dismissed in successive balls in the 17th over.
Umar Akmal skied one off Dirk Nannes and the left arm quickie took the catch off his own bowling. Umar scored 25 from 21 balls, with 4 boundaries. Shahid Afridi guided one into the keeper’s hands in the very next ball. Afridi scored 18 from 13 balls, with 2 fours and one six.
The collapse continued, as Abdul Razzaq was run out brilliantly by David Hussey, and suddenly, it all looked to be going wrong for Pakistan.
In the end, a cameo of 21 off 11 balls from Muhammad Aamer got Pakistan to 162 for 9 in the allotted 20 overs, 5 runs short of what they achieved yesterday. However, if Pakistan maintain the same bowling standards, it can once again be a winning score for them, and a much needed win in a 2-match series.
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