Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Pakistan defeated Australia by 90 runs in the second T20I in Lahore on Saturday. The match also saw controversy after Cameron Green showed frustration towards Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq over his bowling action.Pakistan captain Salman Agha played a brilliant knock and recorded his highest score in T20Is. He made 76 runs off 40 balls. Usman Khan also impressed with 53 runs from 36 balls. Pakistan posted 198-5, their highest T20I total against Australia.During Australia’s chase, a moment grabbed attention. Usman Tariq dismissed Cameron Green in the 11th over. Tariq paused midway in his action and delivered the ball with a low arm. Green tried to hit a six but mistimed it and was caught at point. Green looked angry after his dismissal. While walking back, he made a throwing gesture, suggesting Tariq was chucking. He repeated the gesture again after crossing the boundary.Watch:Green was Australia’s top scorer with 35 runs from 20 balls. At that time, Australia had already lost five wickets and were struggling in the chase.Pakistan’s spinners dominated the game. Abrar Ahmed took 3-14, and Shadab Khan picked up 3-26, while Tariq amassed 2-16. All ten Australian wickets fell to spin. Australia were bowled out for 108 in 15.4 overs. This became Pakistan’s biggest T20I win over Australia, beating their previous 66-run victory in 2018.“It has to be a perfect game,” said Agha. “We batted well and then were outstanding with the ball. Fielding was outstanding.”The win gave Pakistan an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series.“We want to play in the same way, forget the 2-0 scoreline and come again with the same intensity and go to the World Cup with the same energy,” said Agha of the event starting in India and Sri Lanka from February 7.Australia captain Mitchell Marsh admitted his team was outplayed.“Pakistan outplayed us,” said Marsh. “Hopefully, we can improve and come back tomorrow. They put us under great pressure in batting; it was probably a 160-170 wicket so they scored a big total.”The final match of the series will also be played in Lahore on Sunday.
