Pakistan Dominates as Australia Falters in T20 World Cup Warm-Up
In a recent T20 World Cup warm-up match held in Lahore, Pakistan showcased a dominant performance against Australia, leading to a significant 90-run victory. The match marks a disappointing setback for Australia, which suffered a series loss after just the second of three games in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Stellar Performance
Batting first, Pakistan set a formidable target of 198 runs. Salman Agha played a crucial role, scoring 76 runs off just 40 balls, demonstrating aggressive batting with four sixes. Wicketkeeper Usman Khan supported with a quick half-century, adding 50 runs from 35 balls.
Australian Bowling Struggles
Australia’s bowlers struggled against Pakistan’s batting lineup. The team’s attempt to control the run rate proved ineffective. Xavier Bartlett was particularly expensive, bowling at an average of 13 runs per over, while Matt Kuhnemann conceded 10 runs per over. However, Adam Zampa stood out as the best performer, taking one wicket for 27 runs.
- Salman Agha: 76 runs off 40 balls
- Usman Khan: 50 runs off 35 balls
- Adam Zampa: 1 wicket for 27 runs
Australia’s Batting Collapse
In response to the daunting target, Australia crumbled, bowled out for just 108 runs in 16 overs. A five-wicket haul from Shadab Khan (3-26) and Abrar Ahmed (3-14) dismantled the batting order. Australia’s chase faltered early, with Mitch Marsh falling to LBW in the third over.
Key Players in the Match
| Player | Runs | Wickets | Bowling Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salman Agha | 76 | – | – |
| Usman Khan | 50 | – | – |
| Abrar Ahmed | – | 3 | 3-14 |
| Shadab Khan | – | 3 | 3-26 |
Upcoming Challenges for Australia
This warm-up match was not the ideal preparation for Australia. The team is set to compete in the T20 World Cup, which begins in just 11 days. They will face Ireland in Colombo in their tournament opener. Captain Mitch Marsh acknowledged that his team needs to learn from this defeat.
Key Australian players such as Pat Cummins, who is out due to injury, and Steve Smith, who was not included in the final squad, add to the team’s challenges ahead of the World Cup.
As Australia gears up for the tournament, improvements in both batting and bowling will be essential to compete effectively in the upcoming matches.
