"World Cup-bound Australia have been given a hiding in Lahore, bamboozled by Pakistan's spinners as they crumbled to a 90-run defeat and a T20I series capitulation. Just hours after their squad for the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka was announced, Mitch Marsh's side, featuring nine World Cup players and looking desperately in need of their absent big guns, simply could not cope with the hosts' five-pronged spin attack on Saturday."
"After capitulating for just 108, with all 10 wickets falling to spin, in just the 16th over as they chased Pakistan's formidable 198-5, a second comprehensive defeat in three days on the low, slow Gaddafi Stadium track means any real edge has been removed from Sunday's third clash. After Salman Agha had win the toss and opted to lead from the front for the hosts, hammering 76 off 40 balls with four thumping sixes, wicketkeeper Usman Khan kept up the pressure with a 35-ball half-century."
Australia's World Cup squad had been announced hours earlier, yet nine selected players and absent big guns could not handle Pakistan's five-pronged spin attack on the low, slow Gaddafi Stadium pitch. Pakistan scored 198-5, powered by Salman Agha's 76 off 40 with four sixes and a 35-ball half-century from Usman Khan. Australia were bowled out for 108, with all ten wickets to spin inside the 16th over while chasing 199. The 90-run defeat sealed the three-match series after two games and removed any real edge before the final clash. Adam Zampa took 1-27 while several Australian bowlers were expensive, and the match exposed difficulties in building partnerships during run-chases.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]