Pakistan (134) fall short as Australia (147/9) win the second T20I by 13 runs taking unassailable 2-0 lead with 1 game remaining

Some of you are acting as if we’ve consistently made it to the finals of T20 World Cups and have been world beaters in this format for years. There seems to be this expectation that we have players like Jos Buttler and Glenn Maxwell coming through the ranks ready to carry us to glory. The reality is, we need to be realistic about where we stand.

Of course, I want my team to win every time, that’s what fans do, we back our team no matter what. But at the same time, I can accept losses, especially when I know the challenges we’ve faced behind the scenes over the past two years. The discord and trouble within the dressing room have clearly taken their toll. We need to take it one step at a time and rebuild with patience and purpose.
 
I hope better senses prevail.

This should be our ideal team for t20s

Saim
Rizwan
Babar
Fakhar
Usman
Haris
Jahandad
Abbas
Shaheen
Rauf
Sufyan

Naseem
Wasim Jnr
Arafat Minhas
Haseeb
Farhan
that Abbas and Jahandad is literally no 9 in quality line ups, not dependable
 
Rizwan and Babar have been key performers for Pakistan in the T20 format for a long time, yet many failed to give them the credit they deserved during their best years. Now, both of them are going through a rough patch, which is something that can happen to any player. I have a clear understanding of where our team stands and the kind of depth we have in the squad. Babar and Rizwan are crucial to our success, and we need them to get back to their best form to help lift the team.

Today, Australia posted a low total, and while we couldn’t get over the line, it’s clear that it's not just about one or two players. The whole team needs to step up to turn things around. Moving forward, we need to stay patient, make the right squad selections, and ensure the setup is free from corruption. Only then we will create the right environment for success. I am okay with players like Rizwan, Babar and even Agha. and the less we talk about Shadab the better.
I have and will defend them from unnecessary hate which both get and both have been one of our best players. Rizwan batting in terms of opening has been a problem the moment he became an opener. He doesn't take risks and would even play out a maiden overs in power play. He shows no Intent and his go to shot is a slog across the line which has dismissed him twice in 2 games now.

In order words he's too limited to bat as an opener and will never be good enough for opening. The problem is that now he's been given captaincy, he will be batting in the opening slot till he gets sacked. He's played 3 t20 WC now and he along with Babar cost us the semi against Australia with their pathetic show, again they had a shocking WC in Australia where both had an opportunity to do something in the final they failed again. Now coming to the last WC I thought rizwan's awful innings in the Asia cup final can't be topped but he managed to do it again with an even more pathetic knock against India in WC. That knock alone should have ended his t20 career.

They both have had 3 WC,s and failed. If you have to play either of them for me it will be Babar. You can't have a line up of:
Babar
Rizwan
Sahibzada Farhan
Salman


This being your top order is the worst top order going around. Pakistan has made a mistake appointing Rizwan as a captain and Salman as a vc. Who ever has made that decision either need to rectify this or be sacked along side rizwan and Salman.
 
we don’t have the power hitters and we will definitely not be producing it if we develop players on under prepared pitches in domestic cricket, they will be stuck on survival mentality instead of attacking mentality.
 
Rizwan and Babar have been key performers for Pakistan in the T20 format for a long time, yet many failed to give them the credit they deserved during their best years. Now, both of them are going through a rough patch, which is something that can happen to any player. I have a clear understanding of where our team stands and the kind of depth we have in the squad. Babar and Rizwan are crucial to our success, and we need them to get back to their best form to help lift the team.

Today, Australia posted a low total, and while we couldn’t get over the line, it’s clear that it's not just about one or two players. The whole team needs to step up to turn things around. Moving forward, we need to stay patient, make the right squad selections, and ensure the setup is free from corruption. Only then we will create the right environment for success. I am okay with players like Rizwan, Babar and even Agha. and the less we talk about Shadab the better.
Exactly don't worrry we just won odi series in Australia

Many more wins to come
 
that Abbas and Jahandad is literally no 9 in quality line ups, not dependable
I suggest the below team
Saim
Omair only if he plays the same way as emerging cup
Fakhar
Babar
Usman
Haris
Arafat Minhas
Shadab c
Jahandad
Abbas Afridi
Haris Rauf
 
Cricket has evolved. Being punished for playing a big shot in the nets should be a thing of the past.

The best hand eye coordination and big hitting talent gets into tape ball cricket, hard ball club cricket has C grade talent, need to lure the elite tape ball talent when young and coach them the new age tricks.
 
Pak removed Saim from T20s and heres the result in front of you. They should have persisted and tried him in Australia
 
The batting was awful, Babar and Riz were poor and so were the rest of the guys. Usman played well but looks poor against any sort of pace and Irfan played some nice shots.
I probably don't rate Irfan but he comes across as someone who takes his game seriously and I won't be surprised if he does become a solid player in future.
 
Usman Khan in post match conference following Pakistan's defeat to Australia in 2nd T20I:

"It was my first domestic season, and I topped for my team, but I wasn’t performing internationally. I often talked to Rizwan Bhai, Babar Bhai, and Asad Bhai about it. They told me that international cricket is different; there’s pressure, but it’s also essential to perform. They advised me not to fear poor performances because performing is crucial at this level."

"In this match, especially, the first two or two-and-a-half overs from Pakistan conceded runs at nearly a 15-run average, making things difficult. However, the bowlers recovered well. During the powerplay, Pakistan conceded only one boundary, which turned out to be a key difference between the two teams."

"When we started, our mindset was that if we got wickets, we would try to restrict the opposition during the powerplay. However, during our batting, two early wickets fell, and Rizwan Bhai and I decided to play longer and avoid losing further wickets quickly. The target was 148, and the wicket was good. Our strategy was to build a partnership so the team could be in a better position."

"When Rizwan Bhai got out, he told me, ‘You’re set, so try to stay longer and avoid losing your wicket.’ Unfortunately, Agha got out quickly after arriving, and I aimed to capitalize whenever a partnership started. But when there was a flow in the innings, runs started coming in."

"The opening wasn’t ideal, but I think our main issue was the lack of a significant partnership. We weren’t finding boundaries easily, so we focused on staying at the wicket, thinking that with an 8-run average, it would be manageable. However, after the drinks break, when I was batting on 50, Johnson and Zampa took quick wickets, breaking the momentum."

"There wasn’t a huge impact from the drinks break, but Irfan and I planned to take around 5-6 runs off Johnson’s final over, which would make the last four overs easier to chase. Unfortunately, we lost wickets, which made the situation harder."

"Losing this series was disappointing, especially after Pakistan’s good performances in ODIs. But we are trying to recover as a team. When Pakistan wins, it brings us joy, but defeats are naturally disappointing."

"For me, playing alongside Irfan Niazi was great; he’s a talented and hardworking player. Haris Rauf has been a key bowler for us, especially in conditions like Australia’s, where his pace—141 to 150 kph—makes a difference."

"Personally, it was my first time playing in Sydney, but it felt like playing at home because of the incredible support from Pakistani fans, whether during fielding or batting. Their encouragement means a lot."
 
I have and will defend them from unnecessary hate which both get and both have been one of our best players. Rizwan batting in terms of opening has been a problem the moment he became an opener. He doesn't take risks and would even play out a maiden overs in power play. He shows no Intent and his go to shot is a slog across the line which has dismissed him twice in 2 games now.

In order words he's too limited to bat as an opener and will never be good enough for opening. The problem is that now he's been given captaincy, he will be batting in the opening slot till he gets sacked. He's played 3 t20 WC now and he along with Babar cost us the semi against Australia with their pathetic show, again they had a shocking WC in Australia where both had an opportunity to do something in the final they failed again. Now coming to the last WC I thought rizwan's awful innings in the Asia cup final can't be topped but he managed to do it again with an even more pathetic knock against India in WC. That knock alone should have ended his t20 career.

They both have had 3 WC,s and failed. If you have to play either of them for me it will be Babar. You can't have a line up of:
Babar
Rizwan
Sahibzada Farhan
Salman


This being your top order is the worst top order going around. Pakistan has made a mistake appointing Rizwan as a captain and Salman as a vc. Who ever has made that decision either need to rectify this or be sacked along side rizwan and Salman.
I always respect your views and enjoy reading your posts. Farhan has been underwhelming as a T20 player, and I’m not fully convinced by Agha either. However, Agha has a good understanding of the game, and with hard work, he could improve. It’s also important to consider that for many new players, adapting to Australian conditions on their first tour can be very challenging.
 

Johnson takes five-fer as Australia clinch T20I series​


Australia’s left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson bagged a five-wicket haul as Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series over Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday evening. Pakistan fell 13 runs short in pursuit of the 148-run target as Usman Khan’s half-century went in vain.

Earlier, Haris Rauf’s four for 22 and Mohammad Abbas Afridi’s boundary-less 3-17 in four overs helped Pakistan restrict Australia below 150. Sufiyan Moqim backed the pace attack with a tight four-over spell of 2-21.

Haris, who also became the joint leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in T20Is equaling Shadab Khan’s tally of 107, put brakes on Australia’s fiery start, 52-0 in 3.3 overs, by eking out two wickets in the same over. An over later Abbas Afridi also struck to remove Australia’s top-scorer Matthew Short (32, 17b, 2x4s, 2x6s) as they finished the powerplay with 61-3 on the board.

Sufiyan dismissed Glenn Maxwell (21, 20b, 2x4s) and Marcus Stoinis (14, 15b, 1x4) in the 10th and 12th over, respectively as Australia were 95-5 in 11.3 overs. Aaron Hardie’s 23-ball 28 laced with a four and a six took Australia to 147-9 as they managed only 32 runs for three wickets in the last five overs.

In turn, Pakistan put on 30 runs for two wickets in the powerplay. Usman, who hit his maiden T20I half-century (52, 38b, 4x4s, 1x6), walked in to bat at No.4 and joined forces with Muhammad Irfan Khan (37 not out, 28b, 4x4s, 1x6) to lift Pakistan from 44-4 to 102-5 with a 56-run stand for the fifth wicket.

After Usman fell in the 16th over, Pakistan lost their remaining five wickets for just 32 runs with Johnson completing his four over spell with 5-26 and Adam Zampa with 2-19.

The last match of the series will be played on Monday, 18 November at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart.

Scores in brief:

2nd T20I – Australia beat Pakistan by 13 runs


Australia 147-9, 20 overs (Matthew Short 32, Aaron Hardie 28, Glenn Maxwell 21, Jake Fraser McGurk 20; Haris Rauf 4-22, Mohammad Abbas Afridi 3-17, Sufiyan Moqim 2-21)

Pakistan 134 all out, 19.4 overs (Usman Khan 52, Muhammad Irfan Khan 37 not out; Spencer Johnson 5-26, Adam Zampa 2-19)

Player of the match – Spencer Johnson (Australia)
 
I always respect your views and enjoy reading your posts. Farhan has been underwhelming as a T20 player, and I’m not fully convinced by Agha either. However, Agha has a good understanding of the game, and with hard work, he could improve. It’s also important to consider that for many new players, adapting to Australian conditions on their first tour can be very challenging.
Likewise. I fully understand that this would have been the first time they played on such pitches but I saw this coming with the players we have selected. Salman doesn't have the power or the game against pace. Sahibzada farhan feet are stuck in cement and game against pace his awful and I have seen him struggle against pace in our domestic circuit. He doesn't have a chance at international level.
 
Mohammad Rizwan during post match ceremony:

"If you drop crucial catches at crucial times, it will cost you always. Australia in Australia isn't an easy team. If you give them chances like that and you have to get 16 wickets (due to the drops), it won't be easy for any team. We all know that the pitch wasn't easy to bat on, so the catches were crucial."
You don't deserve to win the match if you play all power play overs without a single boundary, you scored only 1 run in 4th over, it was like a maiden over. Rizwan played 26 bowls with only one boundary, out of 26 balls 17 he played in PP without single boundary.
Rizwan must be honest in his post match views, unprofessional & unethical to put all blame on fielders
 
He would. Look at how Warner talked about him. They love him. So suck it up. Your hate makes no difference or write to Warner🤣🤣🤣

Have some shame. One of the main reasons why Pakistan lost is because of his batting today. It's been the same story since with him since the 2022 Asia Cup. Unlike cult followers like yourself, some of us actually care about greater good of Pakistan cricket.
 
I hope better senses prevail.

This should be our ideal team for t20s

Saim
Rizwan
Babar
Fakhar
Usman
Haris
Jahandad
Abbas
Shaheen
Rauf
Sufyan

Naseem
Wasim Jnr
Arafat Minhas
Haseeb
Farhan
How can you say better sense prevails when you place Rizwan as your opener????
 
Pakistan’s batting style is always 20 years behind the rest of the world. Nothing has changed. I am shocked Saim Ayub wasn’t played.
 
Its good hes doing better in ODIs but could have carried that confidence in T20Is too

The problem with Pakistanis is that they treat T20 cricket like a shorter version of ODI, failing to differentiate between the two formats.

Saim wouldn't have been much better either he takes time to find his rhythm and often requires 20 balls to settle even in ODIs as we seen in odi's vs Australia.

T20 isn’t a format where players like Rizwan or Saim can afford to waste 20 deliveries.

Thankfully, Babar has stopped wasting balls in this format and just gives his wicket upfront.

T20 cricket is more suited to players like Mohammad Haris, Asif Ali, and similar types who can come in and start attacking from ball one.

Pakistan tends to take T20 cricket way too seriously, overcomplicating a format designed for quick, aggressive gameplay.
 
You can't get over the fact that is so highly rated by the World's best.

More like you can't get over the fact that he's been found out in the shortest format.

Asad Shafiq was also rated very highly by the likes of Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain because he looked good in the nets but how did that turn out for Pakistan?

Ultimately, what matters is the output of runs and the quality of those runs scored, which can be broadly measured by strike rate.

Babar was rightly left out of the test side against England after the first match in this series because it was established that he wouldn't add anything to Pakistan's batting line-up on turning wickets. The same applies in T20Is, there's no room for an "accumulator" in the modern game, so there is no reason for him to be playing in the shortest format.
 
The problem with Pakistanis is that they treat T20 cricket like a shorter version of ODI, failing to differentiate between the two formats.

Saim wouldn't have been much better either he takes time to find his rhythm and often requires 20 balls to settle even in ODIs as we seen in odi's vs Australia.

T20 isn’t a format where players like Rizwan or Saim can afford to waste 20 deliveries.

Thankfully, Babar has stopped wasting balls in this format and just gives his wicket upfront.

T20 cricket is more suited to players like Mohammad Haris, Asif Ali, and similar types who can come in and start attacking from ball one.

Pakistan tends to take T20 cricket way too seriously, overcomplicating a format designed for quick, aggressive gameplay.

Spot on. In the modern game, it's actually the other way round. ODIs is the longer version of T20Is.
 
It was great to win the ODI series and the T20 WC is so far away it doesn't really matter but I think for the long-term future, its good this horrific squad full of accumulators is losing the series. Salman does not deserve to be in the squad, Farhan is rubbish and RizBar was back after one bad game to fail miserably themselves.

Hopefully, for the SA series they pick an actual squad. All the teams nowadays are trending towards guys with higher and higher crazy SR meanwhile Pakistan are making players with career T20 SR of 118 a vice captain. It makes no sense.

The lack of intent in this match was shocking and I hope for the SA series, we see players like Saim/Fakhar/Haris back into the squad and remove rubbish like Salman/Haseebullah etc.

Nice to see Usman & Irfan do well though. Rauf/Afridi/Muqeem bowled really well too which is nice.
 
Indian white ball team has evolved after the seniors retired.
Maybe time for babar n rizy to hang up boots / dropped.
 
Doesn't matter who opens whether its Riz-Babar or Santa Claus with Whoopie Goldberg, we just don't have power hitters lower down the order, in fact we've not had it since Afridi/Razzaq days. Hell, even Moin and Wasim from the black and white days were far better.

We can't always expect the top 4 to win you games, it doesn't happen in real life!

Nos 5, 6 and 7 please stand up!

I can't remember the last time Pak won a game (against half a decent side) blasting 24-30 in the last 2 overs or even a 16 last over bash. Yes, yes, Asif Ali here and there.

What happened to ...
Iftikhar
Khushdil
Asif
Haider
Usman
Salman
Irfan (admittedly early days)
Abbas Afridi (really?)

(I'm sure there are plenty others, that I've missed, who have not been able to finish a game off).

Lets find those useless, brainless hacks responsible for not fulfilling their roles instead of always blaming the top 4 (whichever combo) for Pak's failures.
 
Doesn't matter who opens whether its Riz-Babar or Santa Claus with Whoopie Goldberg, we just don't have power hitters lower down the order, in fact we've not had it since Afridi/Razzaq days. Hell, even Moin and Wasim from the black and white days were far better.

We can't always expect the top 4 to win you games, it doesn't happen in real life!

Nos 5, 6 and 7 please stand up!

I can't remember the last time Pak won a game (against half a decent side) blasting 24-30 in the last 2 overs or even a 16 last over bash. Yes, yes, Asif Ali here and there.

What happened to ...
Iftikhar
Khushdil
Asif
Haider
Usman
Salman
Irfan (admittedly early days)
Abbas Afridi (really?)

(I'm sure there are plenty others, that I've missed, who have not been able to finish a game off).

Lets find those useless, brainless hacks responsible for not fulfilling their roles instead of always blaming the top 4 (whichever combo) for Pak's failures.
Nothing can change the fact that if the top order fails, batters will play conservatively.

Even Australia played conservatively after their blistering start and wickets were falling. They played qith a bit more bravado but the likes of stones, Maxwell, David and Hardie did slow down a bit before attacking.

You need a top order to kick start things for you and you need to avoid losing wickets at regular intervals.

This game was winnable however poor fielding and poor batting by the top order cost pakistan.

Deapite usmam kham and niazi getting you close the end equation was 15 of 5.

Factor that in with rizzu's 16 of 26. Now in hindsight had rizzu even gone at a run a ball the final equation would have been 15 of 15 and niazi would have probs gotten it
 
The shots of Shaheen and Naseem really got on my nerves. Niazi was on the other end and batting well and could have won the game. And both Shaheen & Naseem played shots like they gave up and did not care. A 10 or 15 by one of them would have meant victory.

They batted the same way against England in the first test and were dropped for the test series. I really feel both these players are toxic in the dressing room.
 
I realize that 75% of the players in this "T20" team need to go, but can we just talk about Usman Khan?

Great he scored a 50 but like...he is SO BAD. A proper tullaybaz -- no technique, game-awareness, atheleticism, etc.. How do players like him ever wear the Pak Jersey (thanks PSL...). I don't know why he annoys me so much, maybe I just can't get over his innings against India where he was literally falling over himself against prime Bumrah trying to get bat on ball.

Absolute hack...no talent. Reminds me of that guy Awais Zia, who graced our screens for a hot second. Anyone remember him?
 
Nothing can change the fact that if the top order fails, batters will play conservatively.

Even Australia played conservatively after their blistering start and wickets were falling. They played qith a bit more bravado but the likes of stones, Maxwell, David and Hardie did slow down a bit before attacking.

You need a top order to kick start things for you and you need to avoid losing wickets at regular intervals.

This game was winnable however poor fielding and poor batting by the top order cost pakistan.

Deapite usmam kham and niazi getting you close the end equation was 15 of 5.

Factor that in with rizzu's 16 of 26. Now in hindsight had rizzu even gone at a run a ball the final equation would have been 15 of 15 and niazi would have probs gotten it
Irrelevant.

Game of cricket has turns a plenty and you need to be able to adapt.

Top batters will fail sometimes, succeed other.

You still need to have functional batters at nos 5, 6 and 7 who can finish the game off. By the way, plenty of teams out there do.

We need to have batters for all scenarios and need to step away from ifs and buts and centre the blame on a handful every game. Its a team.game, sometimes despite your best efforts, plans fail and other batters need to step up.

Unfortunarely our lower order doesn't even do half the job the other teams do. I have seen it regularly where batters come out, despite the top order failings, finish the game off but we seem to lack that ability in our lower order batters.

Even if we get rid of everyone we dont like, does not mean we will become world beaters. My perfect team is someone else's nightmare.
 
More like you can't get over the fact that he's been found out in the shortest format.

Asad Shafiq was also rated very highly by the likes of Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain because he looked good in the nets but how did that turn out for Pakistan?

Ultimately, what matters is the output of runs and the quality of those runs scored, which can be broadly measured by strike rate.

Babar was rightly left out of the test side against England after the first match in this series because it was established that he wouldn't add anything to Pakistan's batting line-up on turning wickets. The same applies in T20Is, there's no room for an "accumulator" in the modern game, so there is no reason for him to be playing in the shortest format.
As you saw today, and as you already know, the Aussie players rate him highly and say so. That must really hurt you and your little group of haters. And long may it continue 🤣🤣
 
As you saw today, and as you already know, the Aussie players rate him highly and say so. That must really hurt you and your little group of haters. And long may it continue 🤣🤣

Keep parroting the same line about "sources and Aussie players".
 
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The shots of Shaheen and Naseem really got on my nerves. Niazi was on the other end and batting well and could have won the game. And both Shaheen & Naseem played shots like they gave up and did not care. A 10 or 15 by one of them would have meant victory.

They batted the same way against England in the first test and were dropped for the test series. I really feel both these players are toxic in the dressing room.
Big egos they like to be heroes
 
lol naaa poooch… this is all going back to Misbah era days .. watch Over night match .. they did nothing but tuktuk .. wasted my sleep..
Just trying to put my voice out there!
So that's how Misbah and his cronies played ... but that era is long gone.

He is no longer associated with them at international level? How can he still influence them so much? Have they not got a brain cell between them? Has he put a gun to their head? My way or high way?

I've been watching Pak cricket since the 80s, this is how they've always played, Misbah or no Misbah!

Challo... you stick to your horses,
 
@Rana in yesterday's match few were shouting babar zimbabar in the stands next to members pavilion/aus dug out. Shouting in the psl may give him little embarrassment but it will really becomes the prestige issue for babar now as every tom *** harry goes after him outside pak. to display his worthiness, babar should score big against the quality opponents.
 
What an excellent game of T20 cricket! The only obvious disappointing element was that PAK once again failed to close the game out in the end and finish it positively.

I can understand why Riz and Babar opened the innings - this kind of total fits in with their tempo and should have been one where they could play their natural game and set a solid foundation. It wasn't to be though..Babar getting out early was a shame. It happens though. That's cricket.

I think Rizwan succumbed to pressure in big way..being skipper in his first series with so much on the line and he froze. Disappointing yet kinda understandable. I guess the point of these bilateral series is to deal with these issues. He had a good game again as skipper and behind the stumps but I think his batting ultimately cost the game which was a shame.

From the very little I've seen of Farhan he's not international standard. Saim should have been kept in the squad - definite mistake by the selectors and it's the price of not having the coach involved in team selection.

Usman and Irfan both played brilliantly. Yes they didn't finish the game but I thought their quick singles and game awareness was a real positive! Usman was slow to get going but once he did he was decent.

Agha got a peach of a delivery and was just unlucky.

Admittedly I haven't been a fan of Abbas but he's growing on me. It was nice to hear the commentary team talking about how he would be a good addition in the BBL.

SSA 1st over was terrible. Naseem didn't bowl too great either today but Abbas, Harris and Sufyaan were excellent.

Fielding was typical 90s PK style! Brilliant in patches and horrid in others.

Oh and the umpires were a bit strange with their decisions on the 2 wides which weren't given (I think there was only 2?)

I think the team needs a bit of work. We need to find a place for Fakhar and Saim within it for a start.

I've given up being negative about Pak cricket. Sometimes you have to be a little more objective. We were let down with some poor bowling initially but came back well and the same with the batting. Here's hoping the team can learn from it.

I do feel sorry for Jason Gillespie.. he comes across as a really nice guy and I think that if he was supported 100% by the PCB then he has the potential to do all with the team. On the whole he's doing ok all things considered.

Guys don't be so disheartened. Enjoy the sport we all love.
 
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