LAHORE: Adam Zamba’s four-wicket haul inspired Australia’s late comeback to restrict Pakistan to a modest score in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha decided to bat first as his team’s batting unit could muster 168/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
The home side got off to a poor start to their innings as they lost opener Sahibzada Farhan for a diamond duck.
After an early stumble, Saim Ayub and captain Agha added 74 runs for the second wicket to stabilize the innings.
Ayub, who was Pakistan’s top scorer with 40 off 22 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes, broke the crucial partnership with the fourth delivery of the eighth over by Zamba.
Agha put on a 12-run partnership with Babar Azam for the third wicket until he was bowled by Xavier Bartlett in the 10th over, and went on to score 39 off 27 balls with four sixes and a four.
Babar then joined Faqar Zaman in the middle and the duo batted cautiously to add 37 runs for the fourth wicket before Zamba, who scored 24 runs off 20 balls with the help of a six and a four.
Babar’s innings gave Pakistan two more setbacks as Zaman (10) and wicketkeeper batsman Usman Khan (10) were dismissed in quick succession.
All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz then added valuable runs with an unbeaten 15 off 14 balls, amid a disappointing death batting by Pakistan, who lost two more wickets.
Adam Zamba attacked Australia’s bowling with frugal bowling figures of 4/24 from his four overs, while Bartlett and debutant Mahli Beardman claimed two wickets each.