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Josh Inglis-led Australia secured a resounding 29-run victory over Pakistan in the rain-affected first T20I at The Gabba on November 14, Thursday. With the match reduced to a seven-over-a-side affair, Australia's explosive batting performance, particularly from Glenn Maxwell, proved too much for Pakistan. Australia, batting first, posted a challenging total of 93/4 in their stipulated 7 overs. In reply, Pakistan's batting perished under pressure and could only score 64 runs to lose the match. The dominant 29-run victory gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Glen Maxwell's blitzkrieg in Australia's dominant win over Pakistan in the first T20I
Although the Australian openers, Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, couldn't sustain their initial momentum, Glenn Maxwell took center stage at number three. He unleashed a barrage of powerful strokes, dismantling Pakistan's bowling attack, including the formidable duo of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. Maxwell's blistering 43 off 19 balls, combined with Marcus Stoinis' quickfire 21 off seven balls, propelled Australia to a formidable total of 93 runs in their seven overs. This imposing target proved insurmountable for Pakistan.
Pakistan's batting perish under pressure
Pakistan's batting lineup struggled to cope with the pressure of the steep chase. Their aggressive approach from the outset did not yield the desired results, and they failed to establish any significant partnerships. Australian bowlers Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis exploited Pakistan's weaknesses, delivering exceptional performances. Bartlett claimed 3/13, while Ellis picked up 3/9.
Key Pakistani players, including captain Mohammad Rizwan, who was dismissed for a duck, and Babar Azam, were unable to contribute significantly. As a result, Pakistan finished their seven overs with a disappointing total of 64 runs for the loss of nine wickets.
Despite the shortened format, Pakistan's inability to build stable partnerships and adapt to the challenging conditions was a significant factor in their defeat. They will need to address their batting deficiencies as they head into the second T20I in Sydney on November 16. Pakistan will aim to level the series and regain momentum by playing to their full potential and adapting quickly to the changing circumstances.
