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PAK beat AUS by 6 wickets | Australia vs Pakistan, Highlights And Cricket Score Final T20 Match - Commentary
T20I Tri-Series in Zimbabwe, 2018
Date: Jul 08, 2018 Start Time: 13:30 IST | 08:00 GMT | 10:00 LocalVenue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
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Australia vs Pakistan Highlights And Cricket Score Final Match - T20 Commentary
Got to feel for Pakistan. What they needed in the final overs needed to be done at the start - not like they did not do it - but you cannot do much when inside edges, top edges and outside edges find the boundary. No bowler bowled badly but everyone came back well in the latter half of the innings. Does anyone remember the final over bowled by Mohammad Amir in the 2010 WT20 against Australia? He bowled a 5-wicket maiden. Today he picked up 2 wickets and conceded just 7 runs against the same opposition.
Pakistan might have sensed a comeback once Finch was dismissed. Maxwell departed early as well and the middle order did not contribute much either - which was followed by a collapse towards the end - but crucially, albeit luckily - Australia had Short at one end. He chanced his luck and ended up with 76 from 53 - with just 2 or 3 good shots from the middle of his bat. That has ensured that even though the Aussies lost wickets, the runs kept coming.
The Aussies played like there was no tomorrow - the openers concentrated on simply bashing the ball - irrespective of the length. Pakistan bowled really well, but early on, plenty of edges eluded hands and the ones that did go to hand, were not taken. Short and Finch took plenty of advantage of that, adding 95 for the opening wicket.
One look at the score - then a look at the pitch - will tell you that Australia have perhaps got enough. But did they really bat well? They have managed to rake up 183 - but it was one of those days, when you swing, keep swinging and keep swinging hard to hope that you get luck going your way - and boy, Australia were not 'SHORT' of luck today.
Mohammad Amir to Jhye Richardson. FOUR! A fortuitous way to start and end the innings for Australia. Jhye backs away and Amir bowls it wide outside off - the batsman slashes hard and the ball goes off the outside edge over the slip cordon to the third man fence. AUSTRALIA FINISH ON 183/8!
Mohammad Amir to Jhye Richardson. Full toss outside off, slapped through the covers for a couple.
Jhye Richardson walks in next...
Mohammad Amir to Andrew Tye. OUT! Sensational bowling from Amir. Tye unwinds, aiming to swing this over the leg side but Amir bowls a pinpoint yorker - it is actually dipping from a full toss length - goes underneath the bat and unties Tye's stumps.
Mohammad Amir to Andrew Tye. A short ball around off, Tye swings but misses.
Mohammad Amir to Jack Wildermuth. Full toss outside off, hit down to mid off for a single.
Andrew Tye is the new man in.
Mohammad Amir to Travis Head. OUT! Two in two for Pakistan! Well, that 190 can take a beating now. Full on middle, Head backs away and swings it cleanly - but only as far as Hasan Ali at long on! Head limps his way back to the pavilion as Pakistan gain some well-needed momentum before the break.
Jack Wildermuth walks in in the final over. How much can Australia reach? 190? Mohammad Amir to bowl.
Hasan Ali to Ashton Agar. OUT! Corker of a yorker from Hasan. Too good for the batsman. He swings early, the ball swings late. Goes under the bat even before it comes down and hits the off stump, deflecting to the third man fence. Hasan finishes with figures of 4-0-38-1 - a series to forget for him with the ball. Has not been at his best at all.
Hasan Ali to Ashton Agar. Nothing on the Free Hit. A slower ball, on a length outside off, angling away, Ashton swings but misses.
Hasan Ali to Ashton Agar. OOPS! NO BALL! Everyone is smiling barring Sarfraz and the umpire. The keeper is furious while the umpire is busy trying to signal to the batsman that the next ball will be a Free Hit. This has slipped out of the hands of Hasan Ali - clearly evident - and Agar walking across to paddle has bailed out of the shot as the ball has gone way over his head! Hasan smiles, apologizing to the batsman, who smiles back in response.
Hasan Ali to Ashton Agar. FOUR! Sensible batting. Mid off is up and Agar goes up and over - to a length ball. Not the best of bowling, with the field inside the circle. A useful boundary for Australia.
Hasan Ali to Travis Head. Excellent bowling. A yorker, on off, Head waits for the ball to come to him and then steers it to third man for a run.
Hasan Ali to Ashton Agar. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Hasan Ali to Travis Head. Full and around off, squeezed through the covers for a single.
The physio is out in the middle, hence the delay. Travis Head is finding it difficult to run, owing to that inside edge on the side of his right knee. Meanwhile, Hasan Ali will bowl the 19th over.
Faheem Ashraf to Ashton Agar. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a couple. 11 from that over, with a wicket. Australia have scored 49/3 in the last 4 overs.
Faheem Ashraf to Ashton Agar. Outside off, punched towards cover.
Ashton Agar walks out towards the dying stages of this innings. Australia losing some momentum.
Faheem Ashraf to Alex Carey. OUT! That is a stinger! Off all the poor fielding efforts by Pakistan in the field today, this might just forgive them a bit. Full and outside off, Carey blasts this through mid off. It seems certain to beat the fielder but Shadab Khan flings himself to his right and takes it one-handed! Is this where the luck changes for Pakistan?
Faheem Ashraf to Travis Head. Full and outside off, driven towards mid off for a run.
Faheem Ashraf to Travis Head. WIDE. Miles outside off, left alone.
Faheem Ashraf to Travis Head. SIX! BLUDGEONED! A length ball, too straight, Head backs away and swings it cleanly over long on!
Faheem Ashraf to Alex Carey. Gets down and looks to paddle but mistimes it onto his pads. Takes a quick single.
Faheem Ashraf is back on.
Shaheen Afridi to Travis Head. OUCH! That would have hurt. On middle and off, Head looks to pull but gets a thick inside edge onto his right knee. He is down in pain.
Shaheen Afridi to Travis Head. FOUR! This is even better! Full and outside off, Head leans and drives it wide of the diving fielder at mid off for another boundary!
Shaheen Afridi to Travis Head. FOUR! AMAZING! A full toss outside off, Head drives this behind point and gets a boundary!
Shaheen Afridi to Alex Carey. Works this down the leg side for a run.
Alex Carey walks in at number 6, replacing Short.
Shaheen Afridi to D'Arcy Short. OUT! Short's innings are over. Finally. After having luck with him for 52 balls, he falls on the 53rd. And how - spooning a simple catch to Sahibzada Farhan at cover. It was a full ball and he looked to go over the top. But... well, have to say - he has lived by the sword and died only when he has taken his team to a pretty safe total on a sluggish pitch - thanks to Lady Luck. Probably a well played is not the ideal term but he has got the runs.
Shaheen Afridi to Travis Head. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.
Shaheen Shah Afridi is back on.
Mohammad Amir to Travis Head. Down the leg side, flicked fine for a single. 10 from the over but look at it this way - 6 from the first ball and 4 from the next 5, which included the wicket of Stoinis.
Mohammad Amir to Travis Head. On middle and off, watchfully defended.
Travis Head is the new man in.
Mohammad Amir to Marcus Stoinis. OUT! Straight to the man! A high full toss, way outside off, Stoinis smashes it - but straight to Fakhar Zaman at deep point! Amir smiles, then laughs. That was not the plan at all but will anyone mind? If outside edges can go to the boundary, well, such balls deserve a wicket too, then!
Mohammad Amir to Marcus Stoinis. A short ball, on off, Marcus tries to play the upper cut but misses.
Mohammad Amir to Marcus Stoinis. A low full toss on off, belted down the ground past the bowler who smartly takes his foot out of the way. The ball nearly travels to the fence but Shadab Khan charges to his left from long on and dives, parrying the ball to the man running back from mid off. A couple taken.
Mohammad Amir to Marcus Stoinis. WIDE. I think the plan was to bowl well outside off, but this has gone miles. Left alone.
Mohammad Amir to Marcus Stoinis. SIX! A hat-trick of maximums for Australia. A short ball, on middle, Stoinis pulls this massively over mid-wicket! Immediately Sarfraz runs all the way down to the bowler to have chat.
Mohammad Amir is back on.
Hasan Ali to D'Arcy Short. SIX! This is even bigger! Hasan goes fuller and Short goes longer! Backs away and sends this sailing way over long off!!! 18 from the over, breaks the shackles.
Hasan Ali to D'Arcy Short. SIX! BELLIGERENT! If my match is correct and I am not snoozing, this is the first confident shot played by Short in this innings - on the 51st ball he has faced. A length ball, on middle, Short swings this into oblivion over mid-wicket!
Hasan Ali to Marcus Stoinis. Punches this through mid on for a run.
Hasan Ali to D'Arcy Short. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Hasan Ali to D'Arcy Short. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple.
Hasan Ali to D'Arcy Short. On middle and leg, worked through mid-wicket for a couple. That has been the only good thing for Australia today - running between the wickets.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. Opens the face and runs it down to short third man for a quick single. That is the end of Shadab - 4-0-38-2. But that is not the way to look at it - A deeper analysis would show - 2-0-24-1 and then 2-0-14-1. A further deeper analysis would show that had there been luck on his team's side, he might have ended up with figures similar to what Billy Stanlake produced in the first meeting of the series between these two sides.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! Another edge. Tell you what - Short might well go into a casino tonight and come out as a billionaire. He has got loads of luck. Short and outside off, he looks to cut but gets a thick outside edge which flies through the vacant slip region to the third man fence.
Shadab Khan to Marcus Stoinis. Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a run.
A slip comes in now.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. Full and outside off, driven down to long off for a single.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. The googly, outside off, Short looks to cut but misses.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. Comes down the track but is not to the pitch of the ball and is forced to defend.
Hasan Ali to Marcus Stoinis. Very full, on middle, Marcus looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. Excellent over from Hasan - Pakistan are pulling things back.
Mid-wicket going back while fine leg comes up.
Hasan Ali to Marcus Stoinis. Nice shot. A short ball, around off, Stoinis initially ducks but then at the last moment, upper cuts it over the keeper. Not too much power in the stroke and third man gets to the ball. A couple taken.
Hasan Ali to Marcus Stoinis. Full and around off, driven powerfully but straight to mid off.
Hasan Ali to Marcus Stoinis. On middle, pushed back to the bowler.
Hasan Ali to D'Arcy Short. DROPPED! A tough chance though. Short is living on Mars, it seems and the earthly beings are finding it difficult to dislodge him. Another slice of luck. He walks down the track, looks to flick but gets a leading edge which flies to point. Shadab Khan dives to his right but is unable to hang on. Hurts his finger as well. A single taken.
Hasan Ali to D'Arcy Short. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Marcus Stoinis comes on to bat - AHEAD OF CAREY AND HEAD while Hasan Ali comes back on to bowl.
Shadab Khan to Glenn Maxwell. OUT! One wicket brings another! Shadab has struck twice in two overs. First Finch, now Maxwell. Floated on off, Maxwell backs away and swings it - but straight to Asif Ali at long on. Shadab has figures of 3-0-31-2.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. Pushes this through the covers for a run this time.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. Another misfield and SHORT GETS TO HIS FIFTY. An innings filled with pots of luck. He drives this through the covers and it should have been an easy single. Instead - the fielder getting across fumbles and lets it through. Two runs taken.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. SAFE! Short has made it back in. He runs this down to short third man and starts to go for the single but Maxwell does not move. D'Arcy turns to go back but slips. He struggles to make it back and puts in a despairing dive. It is referred upstairs but replays show that Short has just made it in.
Run out? Is D'Arcy short? Referred upstairs...
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. EDGED, FOUR! Australia just keep finding these boundaries. Another googly outside off, probably on the shorter length, Short stands back to cut but gets a thick outside edge which flies through the vacant slip cordon to the third man fence.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. The googly outside off, Short looks to run it down past the keeper but is beaten by the quicker delivery.
Shaheen Afridi to D'Arcy Short. The batsman opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to D'Arcy Short. The batsman has dug out that yorker at the last second.
Shaheen Afridi to Glenn Maxwell. Down the leg side, Maxwell looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads to the leg side. A leg bye taken. Nope, it is a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Glenn Maxwell. A full toss outside off, sliced behind point for a couple.
Shaheen Afridi to D'Arcy Short. On middle and leg, Short heaves it over mid-wicket. It is high in the air but does not carry to the man running in from the deep. A run taken.
Shaheen Afridi to Glenn Maxwell. On middle, Maxwell pushes it straight back to the bowler. He fumbles and the ball deflects past the stumps at the other end towards mid on. A quick single taken.
Shadab Khan to Glenn Maxwell. The googly, on middle, worked through mid-wicket for a run. 11 runs but the big wicket of Finch as well from the over. Shadab's figures read 2-0-24-1.
Glenn Maxwell walks in at number 3, replacing his skipper.
Shadab Khan to Aaron Finch. OUT! Pakistan have a wicket at last. And it is the big one of the Australian skipper. A short ball outside off, slowing the pace, Finch backs away and unfurls a cut shot over cover - but cannot get it over the debutant Sahibzada Farhan in the ring. The fielder leaps to take a decent catch. The 95-run stand has been broken and Pakistan can now work on the soft underbelly of a middle order for Australia.
Shadab Khan to Aaron Finch. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple again. Mohammad Amir was the culprit this time.
Shadab Khan to Aaron Finch. Full and outside off, Aaron slogs once again, getting this down to long on. The fielder takes his own sweet time in returning the ball and the batsmen come back for the second. That should never have been two there.
Shadab Khan to Aaron Finch. SIX! BANG! 'NA NA!' Yells Sarfraz. The line is fine - wide outside off, since Finch is backing away to the leg side - but the length is way too full. Sits nicely under the bat and goes not so nicely for Pakistan over long on. Finch moves to 43 from 24 balls. The stand is worth 91 from 56 balls.
Shadab Khan to Aaron Finch. A length ball outside off, Finch backs away and mistimes his punch back to the bowler.
Shaheen Afridi to Aaron Finch. Full on middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for only a single. Good comeback from Afridi.
Shaheen Afridi to Aaron Finch. A length ball now, on middle, AF looks to pull but misses and is hit on the box. Ouch.
Shaheen Afridi to Aaron Finch. On middle and leg, Aaron looks to tuck it away but misses. He wants a single off the deflection from the pads but the bowler is quick to get to the ball and Finch has to go back.
Shaheen Afridi to D'Arcy Short. On middle and leg, played with soft hands through mid-wicket for one.
Shaheen Afridi to Aaron Finch. A length ball down the leg side, Finch looks to tickle it fine but misses. The ball hits his pads and the batsmen take a quick run. Pakistan are lucky - fine leg was up. A bit of wood and that would have been another boundary.
Shaheen Afridi to D'Arcy Short. Full and straight, hammered down to long on for a single.
Shadab Khan to Aaron Finch. SIX! AUDACIOUS! Floated outside off, Finch backs away, reaches out for the delivery and slogs it wayyyyy over long on for a biggie! 13 from the over, 43 from the last 3! The stand is now worth 81 from 48 balls.
Shadab Khan to Aaron Finch. Full and straight, pushed back to the bowler.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. Another one run down, this time straight to short third man for a quick run.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. Similar ball, D'Arcy looks to play a similar shot but then withdraws his bat.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! Delicately done. Outside off, Short waits for the ball to come and then runs it down through third man. Gets it inside the man at short third man and beats him to the fence. Short moves to 40 from 28 balls with his 5th four.
Shadab Khan to D'Arcy Short. Comes down the track straightaway and whips it through mid-wicket for a couple. The stand is worth 70 from 43 balls now.
Shadab Khan comes on to bowl his leg spin now.
Shaheen Afridi to D'Arcy Short. Full and wide outside off, played through point for a run. 14 from the over, 30 off the last 2!
Shaheen Afridi to Aaron Finch. On middle and leg, Aaron tucks this straight to short fine leg and gets across for a quick single. The fielder misses his shy at the striker's end but Short would not have been short if that had hit.
Shaheen Afridi to Aaron Finch. FOUR! A length ball on middle and leg, Finch has a hack and the ball goes off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket. Bats these days... the ball races away.
Shaheen Afridi to Aaron Finch. SIX! Another mistimed shot for a biggie! Ahh... luck luck luck. Finch comes down the track, Afridi bangs it short, the batsman looks to pull but gets a bit of a top edge. Mohammad Amir comes running in from fine leg but the ball sails over! Even if he had been at the ropes, he would not have taken that.
Shaheen Afridi to D'Arcy Short. On middle and leg, Short looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads towards mid-wicket. A leg bye taken.
Shaheen Afridi to Aaron Finch. The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. One run added to the total.
The hero of the previous match - Shaheen Shah Afridi comes into the attack. In between overs, Mohammad Hafeez was with the drinks and a message for Sarfraz from the dressing room...
Faheem Ashraf to D'Arcy Short. A yorker outside off. D'Arcy looks to squeeze it out to third man but misses. 16 from the final over of the Powerplay as Australia finish it on 54/0.
Faheem Ashraf to D'Arcy Short. SIX! 50 UP FOR AUSTRALIA - Full of luck. The length is not full though on this occasion, it is short - just like Pakistan have been - short of luck. Short looks to pull but gets a top edge which sails beyond the keeper!
Faheem Ashraf to D'Arcy Short. Another short ball, helped past short fine leg for a couple.
Faheem Ashraf to Aaron Finch. A long hop, pulled towards deep mid-wicket for a run.
Faheem Ashraf to D'Arcy Short. Another short ball, pulled towards deep square leg for a single this time.
Faheem Ashraf to D'Arcy Short. SIX! The ball is up but Short is down. A short ball, down the leg side, D'Arcy pulls it and seems to mistime it. The ball hits the top half of the bat and sails over long leg. As soon as the shot was played, Short holds his ribs. Seems like he has overstretched himself. The stand moves to 44 from 31 balls. Short is onto 24 from 20 balls, with his first six.
Hasan Ali to Aaron Finch. TOP EDGE, SAFE AGAIN! A short ball, on middle, Finch looks to pull but gets a top edge. The keeper runs after it, so does short fine leg but the ball lands in between! There is a bit of a fumble and the batsmen come back for the second.
Hasan Ali to Aaron Finch. Pummels this towards mid on where substitute Mohammad Nawaz takes his eyes off the ball and fumbles. Concedes two.
Hasan Ali to D'Arcy Short. Now comes the short ball, pulled away for a run.
Hasan Ali to D'Arcy Short. A slow full toss down the leg side, D'Arcy misses it and the ball hits his pads.
Hasan Ali to D'Arcy Short. LEADING EDGE? NOT TAKEN? Not sure. On a length, on middle and leg, Short looks to tuck it away to the leg side but is early into the shot and the ball lobs in the air towards the silly point region. Hasan Ali runs towards the ball but cannot get there. Replays do not seem to indicate any bat but cannot be totally sure...
Hasan Ali to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! A poor start. A length ball, down the leg side, Short just helps it past the man in the ring on the leg side at 45. Easy boundary. The stand moves to 33 from 25 balls.
Hasan Ali into the attack now.
Faheem Ashraf to Aaron Finch. FOUR! ADMONISHED! First real worthy shot of a boundary. A short ball on middle, this time Mr. Finch waits for it and pulls it with aplomb over mid-wicket. There is a man in the deep but he can only run to retrieve the ball. Finch moves to 13 from 9 balls.
Faheem Ashraf to Aaron Finch. A short ball on off, Finch looks to pull but is beaten due to the lack of pace again.
Faheem Ashraf to D'Arcy Short. A slower bouncer, around off, DAS looks to pull but misses due to the lack of pace. He is months early into the shot and the ball goes off his back to the off side. The short third man fielder comes running in but both batsmen take it lightly. Suddenly Finch realizes that he could be in trouble and hurriedly gets into the crease. But the fielder smartly throws it at the other end. 'WATCH IT, YOUR END!' shouts Finch. Short just about makes it even though the throw misses the stumps.
Faheem Ashraf to D'Arcy Short. WIDE. A wide, wide ball way down the leg side, D'Arcy looks to pull but misses. Sarfraz Ahmed is the only one appealing for the catch, only to be responded with a wide signal.
Faheem Ashraf to D'Arcy Short. On middle and off, angling away from over the wicket, Short looks to punch but gets a bottom edge back to the bowler.
Faheem Ashraf to Aaron Finch. On middle, Aaron punches this towards mid on who is snoozing. Suddenly he wakes up as there are shouts of 'MAAR DE, MAAR DE!' and he starts to run towards the ball. By the time he picks up the ball, the batsmen have already reached their respective ends after completing the single.
Faheem Ashraf to Aaron Finch. A short ball around off, Finch backs away and punches it straight to cover.
Mohammad Amir to D'Arcy Short. A short ball outside off, D'Arcy backs away and has a wild pull - only to miss.
Mohammad Amir to Aaron Finch. Full and outside off, Aaron looks to push this by coming forward. But the ball bounces suddenly, hits the splice of the bat and lobs uppishly towards cover. A quick single taken.
Mohammad Amir to D'Arcy Short. That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh pad. They pick up a single. The umpire signals a leg bye.
Mohammad Amir to D'Arcy Short. MISFIELD, FOUR! A rare, rare sight. Shoaib Malik not fielding the ball well. Full and outside off, Short throws the kitchen sink at this one, hammering it through mid off. Malik in that region moves slowly to his right, puts in a weak dive and as a result, is not able to stop the ball cleanly. He does take some pace off the ball but the power from Short is good enough to take it to the ropes. The stand moves to 20 from 15 balls.
Mohammad Amir to Aaron Finch. Punches this through the covers and takes a quick single.
Mohammad Amir to Aaron Finch. On a length outside off, placed beautifully behind point for a couple.
Faheem Ashraf to Aaron Finch. Gets across and looks to flick but an inside edge results. The ball deflects off his pads and the batsmen take a run. So Australia have got off to a great start - ONLY ACCORDING TO THE SCOREBOARD. Pakistan have been unlucky to be honest.
Faheem Ashraf to D'Arcy Short. A short ball, Short looks to pull but the ball barely comes off the surface. He mistimes it over short fine leg and gets a single.
Faheem Ashraf to D'Arcy Short. Cuts him into half now. This is pitched outside off, DAS looks to play but the ball comes back in a long way and squares him up. Just beats the outside edge and goes over the stumps.
Faheem Ashraf to D'Arcy Short. A length ball on off, D'Arcy looks to loft this but mistimes it towards mid on.
Faheem Ashraf to D'Arcy Short. DROPPED AGAIN? Ummm... don't think so. Faheem bowls this on a length around leg and it nips back in sharply. Short has nowhere to go as he looks to play some sort of a flick but before he can get his bat down, the ball is past him. Hits his pads and goes to Asif Ali at first slip who plonks it. There are shouts of 'CATCH IT!' initially and then an LBW appeal follows - negated.
Faheem Ashraf to Aaron Finch. DROPPED! A very, very difficult chance. But could have been taken had the communication lines been working between the fielders. A short ball outside off, Finch plays the pull shot but the bounce gets big on him. It goes high in the air, off the top edge and two fielders run after it - Mohammad Amir from fine leg and Shoaib Malik from mid-wicket. The latter gets to the ball, almost takes the catch as well - but from the corner of his eye, he probably sees Amir running in - that split second costs him and he puts the catch down. Three runs taken.
Here is Faheem Ashraf to bowl from the other end.
Mohammad Amir to D'Arcy Short. Similar line and length, watchfully pushed away. A really good over from Amir - the scorecard will not show that though. He has probed Short but the southpaw has gotten away with his wild swings.
Mohammad Amir to D'Arcy Short. On middle and leg, punched wide of mid on. Finch wants a run but is sent back.
Short fine leg in place along with a deep backward square leg.
Mohammad Amir to D'Arcy Short. Full and outside off, played a bit loosely, away from the body, straight to point.
Mohammad Amir to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! There is no tomorrow for Short. He is going after everything. A very good ball, landed on a length around off, coming in, Short wildly swings across the line and is comprehensively beaten. Luckily for him, the ball does not go through the yawning gap between bat and pad. It goes off the inner half of the bat and runs wide of mid on to the fence. Unlucky for the bowler. He was just one degree away from cutting Short's innings short.
Mohammad Amir to D'Arcy Short. On middle and leg, coming into the batsman, worked straight to short mid-wicket.
Mohammad Amir to D'Arcy Short. FOUR! Business straightaway. Short and outside off, not that wide but Short throws his bat at it. Is too close to the ball and hence gets an outside edge. But luckily for him, it flies wide of first slip and races to the third man fence.
The Aussie openers walk out to the middle. The drop in the previous match being short for Short, he is back to open alongside captain Finch. Mohammad Amir will start off proceedings to the 'comeback' kid...
The Pakistan team get into a huddle. Just a piece of information - the last time the Asian champions lost a T20I series - or let me rephrase it - DID NOT WIN A SERIES - was way back in 2016 - the WT20. They have won each and every T20I series since then - making it 8 in a row. Will today be the 9th?
PITCH LOOK - A few cracks on the surface, no grass, makes it perhaps an easy decision for the captains - willow should make the first use. This is the same track where Billy Stanlake ran through Pakistan in their first encounter - don't think we shall have that much bounce today.
TEAM NEWS - Surprising one for Australia. D'Arcy Short is back. He is given a longer rope. Nic Maddinson, who barely got any opportunity to prove himself, has been axed. Marcus Stoinis continues to be with the side. For Pakistan, they have brought back Hasan Ali, which is not a surprise - benching Usman Khan. After his 5/34 in an ODI against Sri Lanka in Sharjah in October 2017, Usman has barely made the headlines. Sahibzada Farhan makes his international debut, in place of Haris Sohail. A talented right-handed batsman is he - averaging 52.09 in List A cricket and close to 37 in T20s. The right-left combination at the top should come in handy for Pakistan, assuming Zaman and Farhan open.
National anthem time. Australia first up, followed by Pakistan's.
TOSS - Well, Aaron Finch has won one more toss. Given the slow nature of the pitches towards the dying stages of the tournament, it is not surprising that AUSTRALIA WILL BAT FIRST.
WEATHER - It was overcast for a couple of days in this series but today, it is nice and warm, bright and sunny. Hopefully, the conditions do not influence the game.
It has been 6 days of continuous T20 cricket and it is now time for the final. As expected before the start of the series, Australia clash against Pakistan for the trophy. Both teams honed their skills against an extremely weak Zimbabwean side and both units were more or less inconsistent. Which side will top today?
Hey, wait! Where are you going? Blockbuster Sunday has just begun! This final was just a starter. The main course comes in a few minutes from now when England take on India in the third T20I! Do catch that game and have a great Sunday! ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
A bit of a break for Australia now. They go back home and then head to the Middle East to face the same opposition, Pakistan - this time for a tougher contest - Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Pakistan, meanwhile, have an ODI series against Zimbabwe not too far away.
Okay! That ends a tri-series which lasted a week. Pakistan strut their stuff, albeit after a nervy start. Australia stay winless in terms of series - lost both the ODI and T20I series in England and now, having done reasonably well in the league stages, stuttering in the final. Aaron Finch's Melbourne side is not too different in knockout matches in the Australian T20 League - nerve loss in the final? Perhaps.
Victorious captain, Sarfraz Ahmed, says that the win is due to a great team effort. First the bowlers bowled well at the death and then with the bat, Malik and Zaman took them across the line. Admits that the fielding let them down but he had confidence in his team's batting, in spite of chasing down 184 which is not an easy task. Praises Fakhar Zaman for his innings, stressing that he has played well throughout the series. Has good words of praise for his unit, and says it is not easy to play 6 games in 8 days (actually 5). On the ODI series further against Zimbabwe, he feels that is it not easy to play against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe and hopes that his team puts on a good show.
MAN OF THE MATCH AND SERIES, FAKHAR ZAMAN, says that he likes these pitches in Zimbabwe. Further says that he was in form from the very first game. Informs us that he toured the country in 2016, but did not perform well then. In this series, the wickets were really good, he feels. On being asked about the plan to go about the run chase, he blatantly says that he told the team that he will play his own game, rest all play around him. Praises Australia for putting on a good show and credits his team for winning the trophy. On the future, he says that he needs to work hard and maintain his consistency and form.
Aussie captain, Aaron Finch admits that Australia should have got to 200 with the bat. Praises Pakistan for bowling well towards the end, which resulted in his side losing wickets. Feels that the wicket looked on the slower side. Says that the Aussies started off really well with the ball. But also says that Zaman played exceedingly well and took it away from them.
Do not forget - Pakistan bowled well at the death, 'restricting' Australia to 183, when at one stage, 200 seemed likely. The Men In Yellow could not replicate that with the ball. Zaman's wicket and Tye's excellent 17th over gave Australia a glimmer of hope - but reliable Malik took them over the line easily. Nothing much to talk about the Aussie bowling - Jhye Richardson and Billy Stanlake were economical but not incisive. Maxwell, of course, picked up 2 wickets. Stay tuned for the presentation.
Zaman should be called the Man Of The Finals. If anyone does remember, he pulverized India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, batting first. Today, he made 91 in a run chase. He received good support or mentorship from Shoaib Malik. They seized the moment perfectly. Jack Wildermuth came on to bowl the 11th over and suddenly, in the span of 3 overs, Pakistan had scored 48 runs. That changed the momentum.
This is PAKISTAN'S HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL RUN CHASE IN T20IS, but by no means was it perfectly planned. They lost 2 wickets to Maxwell in the opening over and then, after a bit of a fightback, lost Sarfraz too. But a terrific 107-run stand in 64 balls between Fakhar Zaman and Shoaib Malik completely turned the tables.
9th series win on the trot in T20Is for Pakistan. They last lost a series, or failed to win one, when Daren Sammy's Windies, known as West Indies then, took the WT20 trophy in 2016. Since then, a change of captaincy, some change in personnel and boy - we have a world-beating side!
World Number 1 team. They have strut their stuff. Looked like luck was not on their side. Seemed like the target was too big for them. Felt like they were going to lose by a big margin when they lost 2 wickets in the opening over. But, the man for the finals - Fakhar Zaman and Mr. Never-Forget-Me Consistent, Shoaib Malik, ensured that Pakistan kept their winning run intact, in terms of series victories.
Marcus Stoinis to Asif Ali. FOUR! PAKISTAN ARE THE CHAMPIONS! A short ball, on middle and off, Asif pulls it over mid-wicket. There is a man in the deep but he cannot get to the ball in time and it beats him to the fence! Congratulations, Pakistan!
Marcus Stoinis to Shoaib Malik. Full on middle, heaved through mid on for a single.
Marcus Stoinis to bowl an over which could last a solitary ball.
Andrew Tye to Asif Ali. Full on middle, Asif drives this down to long on. He takes a single but Malik calls him back for the second. The fielder returns a decent throw to the keeper but Asif dives in. Andrew Tye finishes a fruitless spell as well - 4-0-33-0.
Andrew Tye to Shoaib Malik. Full toss on middle, paddle swept to fine leg for a run.
Andrew Tye to Shoaib Malik. Slower ball, outside off, Malik looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce to the keeper.
Andrew Tye to Asif Ali. Full on middle, pushed down to long on for a run.
Andrew Tye to Shoaib Malik. The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Andrew Tye to Shoaib Malik. FOUR! Just over! A length ball outside off, Malik backs away and slices this over point. The fielder leaps but in vain! Just 7 more needed from 12 balls!
Jhye Richardson to Asif Ali. SIX! CLUNK! That seals the deal. It really should. Pakistan's game to lose from here. A length ball on middle, Asif backs away and hits it miles over long on! Richardson is on his haunches - 2-0-6-0 at one stage - only to end up with 4-0-29-1. 17 runs came from his final over.
Jhye Richardson to Asif Ali. Goes back and heaves this slower ball past the bowler to long on. Finch puts in a good sliding stop rushing to his left and keeps the batsmen to a couple.
Jhye Richardson to Shoaib Malik. A short ball, on middle, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.
Jhye Richardson to Asif Ali. A slower ball outside off, Ali waits for it and drives it to long off for a run. The stand moves to 10 from 9 balls.
Finch has a chat with Jhye - the latter looks very nervous.
Jhye Richardson to Shoaib Malik. Very full, on middle, driven down to long on for a single.
Jhye Richardson to Shoaib Malik. SIX! CLUBBED! Malik releases the pressure! A short ball, outside off, Shoaib hangs back and pulls it massively over mid-wicket! That will put pressure on the bowler. Malik moves to 34 from 30 balls, with his first six.
Andrew Tye to Asif Ali. Outside off, Ali swings but misses. A crucial over from Tye - just 2 coming from it.
Andrew Tye to Shoaib Malik. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total.
Andrew Tye to Asif Ali. Gets some sense, pushes the ball to long off for a single. Pakistan can do it in singles and twos. No risks needed. 29 more needed from 20 balls.
Andrew Tye to Asif Ali. Outside off, another slash and a miss.
Andrew Tye to Asif Ali. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Andrew Tye to Asif Ali. Outside off, Ali looks to steer it to third man but misses. The keeper and bowler appeal but in vain.
Asif Ali is the new man in while Andrew Tye is the change-in bowler.
Jhye Richardson to Fakhar Zaman. OUT! Zaman does not get a century! But guess he has done enough to see his team through to yet another series win. A short ball on middle, Zaman backs away, like he has been doing all innings and upper cuts this. But finds substitute Nic Maddinson to perfection. He has missed out on a well-deserving ton. But his team has a hand on the trophy - unless, a Steve Waugh type Australianism can prevail. Just 30 more needed from 24 balls.
Jhye Richardson to Shoaib Malik. Angling in, from outside off, worked through mid-wicket for a run.
Jhye Richardson to Fakhar Zaman. A short ball, extra bounce, Fakhar adjusts nicely and punches it towards point for a run.
Jhye Richardson to Shoaib Malik. Waits for the ball to come to him and dabs it to third man for a single.
Jhye Richardson to Shoaib Malik. Outside off, played straight to point.
Jhye Richardson to Shoaib Malik. WIDE. Slower ball gone awry, down the leg side, Malik misses his flick.
Jhye Richardson to Shoaib Malik. Full on middle, worked wide of long on for a couple.
Jhye Richardson is back on. 2-0-6-0 so far. Last ray of hope for the Aussies - if any.
Marcus Stoinis to Fakhar Zaman. MISFIELD, FOUR! Australia are going down and going down very badly. A short ball outside off, Zaman punches it towards sweeper cover. Ashton Agar comes running in but then slips and the ball spins away from him, to the fence behind! 12 from the over, Stoinis has gone for 26 in his 2 overs. THE 100-RUN STAND IS UP, in just 58 balls. Fakhar punches his fists with the air - looking at Malik. Finch said that Australia have saved their best for the last - well, he might have misspelt Pakistan I guess. Just 36 more needed from 30 balls.
Marcus Stoinis to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! Fine shot. Another slower ball, outside off, Fakhar stands tall and punches it through the covers for a boundary!
Marcus Stoinis to Shoaib Malik. A slower bouncer, on middle, Malik swivels and pulls it towards fine leg for another one.
Marcus Stoinis to Fakhar Zaman. A full toss outside off, squeezed towards Aaron Finch at extra cover for one.
Marcus Stoinis to Shoaib Malik. On middle and leg, heaved to fine leg for a run.
Marcus Stoinis to Fakhar Zaman. Short and outside off, slapped to deep cover for a single.
Marcus Stoinis is being brought back on. Was hammered for 14 in his first over.
Billy Stanlake to Shoaib Malik. Full on middle and leg, driven back to the bowler. Stanlake is done and dusted with - nothing today - 4-0-25-0. Was economical, but Australia needed him to do what he did on Monday.
Billy Stanlake to Shoaib Malik. Around off, a backfoot defense. A DOT BALL AFTER 19 LEGAL DELIVERIES!
Billy Stanlake to Fakhar Zaman. A length ball, following the batsman down the leg side, FZ swings but the ball goes off the inner half of his blade towards mid-wicket. A run taken. Moves to 80 from 40 balls.
Billy Stanlake to Fakhar Zaman. SIX! CLOBBERED! Bring out the short stuff, says Fakhar! This is on middle, Zaman backs away and smashes it way over the point fence! Aussie bowlers are stunned - they don't know what has hit them. Not too long ago, they were on top. In a matter of minutes, they are being squashed down. Just 49 more needed from 39 balls now.
Billy Stanlake to Shoaib Malik. Outside off, steered behind point for a run.
Billy Stanlake to Fakhar Zaman. They are not getting any with that line. Full toss, way down the leg side, luckily for them, Zaman misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads fine. A leg bye taken.
Billy Stanlake is back on. 3-0-17-0 so far. Australia desperately need a wicket or two.
Andrew Tye to Fakhar Zaman. Full and outside off, pushed through mid off for a run. The stand moves to 80 from 46 balls. 15 from the over, 48 from the last 3!
Andrew Tye to Shoaib Malik. Outside off, calmly pushed to point for a quick run. Moves to 20 from 19 balls - do not forget his contribution in this partnership. Was dropped on 0 though.
Andrew Tye to Shoaib Malik. TOP EDGE, FOUR! Luck finally coming back to Pakistan. A short ball, on middle, Malik swivels, looks to pull but is done in by the pace. Gets a top edge which flies over the keeper to the fine leg fence! 59 more needed now, from 44 balls! At this rate, they might win with an over or two to spare...
Andrew Tye to Fakhar Zaman. Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off for a quick single.
Andrew Tye to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! That is a stamping authority to what was mentioned on ball number 1. Favourites. A short ball, Zaman swivels and pulls it behind square leg for consecutive boundaries! Zaman moves to 71 from 35 balls, with his 10th four! The stand is worth 73 from 42 deliveries.
Andrew Tye to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! Edged away! Tye will not like that, but remember, the Aussies got majority of their shots in that fashion. On a length outside off, angling away, Zaman looks to run it down to third man but is too close to the ball. Ends up getting a thick outside edge which flies past the keeper and beats short third man to the fence! 68 more needed from 47 balls now as Pakistan are now clear favourites.
Andrew Tye is back on. 1-0-7-0 so far.
Ashton Agar to Fakhar Zaman. Full and wide outside off, Fakhar swings but misses. The keeper is not able to stop it and the ball goes off his pads to short third man. A bye taken. 17 from the over, 33 from the last 2!
Ashton Agar to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! And again! A hat-trick of shots in that region. Pakistan are demolishing Agar's figures and morale here. One more flighted ball, one more dancing step, one more connection of bat with ball and the latter flies to the long on fence.
Ashton Agar to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! He goes again! Comes down the track and hammers it well down the ground, with long on being a mere spectator!
Ashton Agar to Fakhar Zaman. SIX! BRUTAL! The target is Ashton Agar. Zaman puts on his dancing shoes and clubs it over long on! Gets to his half century - 4th in T20Is - crucially, consecutive ones for him!
Ashton Agar to Shoaib Malik. On middle and off, eased through the covers for a run. 50-run stand is up as well.
Ashton Agar to Fakhar Zaman. Full on middle, hit down to long on for a single.
Ashton Agar time.
Jack Wildermuth to Fakhar Zaman. This would have been a wide as well but Fakhar goes after this one and crunches it through the covers for a run. 16 from the over! Pakistan need 89 from 54 balls.
Jack Wildermuth to Fakhar Zaman. Finally bat to ball. Punched towards point who has a needless shy at the bowler's end and concedes an overthrow. Australia losing the plot now. A bit careless on the field they are.
Jack Wildermuth to Fakhar Zaman. HAT-TRICK OF WIDES! Well, the youngster is a bit afraid of bowling it on the pads, simply because the field is set on the off side. But he does need to bowl a legal ball, doesn't he? Another one well outside off.
Jack Wildermuth to Fakhar Zaman. ANOTHER WIDE. Same formula, same result.
Jack Wildermuth to Fakhar Zaman. WIDE. Action replay of what happened a couple of balls agao. Batsman walks across, bowler bowls it wider from him, but well outside the guideline.
Jack Wildermuth to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Zaman flays it through point and gets a boundary!
Jack Wildermuth to Fakhar Zaman. WIDE. Harsh on the bowler. He sees Zaman walk across the stumps and bowls it well outside off. But it is way beyond the guidelines and is wided.
Jack Wildermuth to Fakhar Zaman. Outside off, a slash and a miss.
Jack Wildermuth to Shoaib Malik. On middle and leg, flicked away for a single. 100 more needed from 58 balls now.
Jack Wildermuth to Shoaib Malik. FOUR! Loose start. Full and down the leg side, flicked behind square leg for a boundary. Malik is too good a player to miss out on freebies.
Jack Wildermuth comes into the attack.
Billy Stanlake to Fakhar Zaman. Full and straight, driven straight to Jack Wildermuth at extra cover who fumbles and allows the ball to go through. Two runs taken.
Billy Stanlake to Shoaib Malik. Outside off, punched to deep point for a run.
Billy Stanlake to Fakhar Zaman. Full and down the leg side, flicked straight to fine leg for a single. There are 4 men at the boundary on the off side. He can tuck the ball anywhere on the leg side and get a couple.
Billy Stanlake to Fakhar Zaman. Very good ball. Zaman is already down the leg side, backing away and Stanlake follows him. Dishes in a bouncer and the batsman has to duck out of the way.
Billy Stanlake to Shoaib Malik. Full on middle, pushed down to long on for a single. 109 more needed from 64 balls.
Billy Stanlake to Shoaib Malik. Outside off, a flay and a miss.
Billy Stanlake is back on.
Glenn Maxwell to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! Down the leg side, Zaman swings it behind square leg and gets a boundary! 11 from the over, 25 from the last 2!
Glenn Maxwell to Shoaib Malik. The batsman has driven it through mid on. One run added to the total.
Glenn Maxwell to Fakhar Zaman. Pushes this through mid on for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shoaib Malik. Comes down the track, Maxwell fires it in, outside off, Shoaib is caught off-guard but manages to push it past the keeper, off the bottom edge. A single to short third man.
Glenn Maxwell to Shoaib Malik. Short and outside off, Malik cuts it through point. Backward point dives to his left and makes a half-stop. Short third man dives as well and makes another half-stop. A couple in the end.
Glenn Maxwell to Shoaib Malik. Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple. 119 more needed from 71 balls.
Glenn Maxwell is back into the attack.
Marcus Stoinis to Shoaib Malik. A short ball, pulled away, wide of Andrew Tye at short mid-wicket for one. 14 from the opening over of Stoinis.
Marcus Stoinis to Fakhar Zaman. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.
Marcus Stoinis to Fakhar Zaman. The batsman has played it to the point region. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
Marcus Stoinis to Fakhar Zaman. Short and outside off, Fakhar looks to cut but the ball never arrives. Goes off the outside edge and lands in front of the keeper.
Marcus Stoinis to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! A poor ball, short and down the leg side, Zaman helps it past short fine leg!
Marcus Stoinis to Fakhar Zaman. SIX! BOSH! A length ball, on middle and leg, Zaman swings this cleanly over mid-wicket!
Marcus Stoinis comes on to bowl.
Jhye Richardson to Shoaib Malik. Plays this straight to point. Just a single from that over.
Jhye Richardson to Shoaib Malik. The batsman guides it to third man.
Jhye Richardson to Shoaib Malik. The batsman has played it to the point region.
Jhye Richardson to Fakhar Zaman. Outside off, steered to third man for a single.
Jhye Richardson to Fakhar Zaman. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
Jhye Richardson to Fakhar Zaman. Excellent yorker, well dug out.
Andrew Tye to Shoaib Malik. On middle, Shoaib looks to tuck but misses and is hit on the box.
Andrew Tye to Shoaib Malik. DROPPED! Full and outside off, Malik lofts this straight back. Tye leaps but is not able to catch that. Parries it to mid off. The fielder cannot get there either. Slice of luck. Can Malik make use of it?
Andrew Tye to Shoaib Malik. Punches this off the back foot.
Andrew Tye to Fakhar Zaman. The batsman plays a pull shot to this short delivery. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Shoaib Malik is the new man in.
Andrew Tye to Sarfraz Ahmed. OUT! RUN OUT! My word - this is - excellent fielding from Australia. Flashback 1998 - why so far? Because that dismissal is fresh in my mind and though it is not exactly similar, it does bring out the brilliance in fielding. The then Zimbabwe captain, Alistair Campbell, had run a ball down to third man where Ajit Agarkar was fielding. He started to take a single but it was more of a stroll - Agarkar threw the ball from that position at the bowler's end - and hit the stumps! Campbell was short! Now, let us come back to the present. Campbell is a commentator now but somewhere in his mind, he might be remembering his dismissal in 1998. Sarfraz gets across and paddles it through fine leg. Jhye Richardson gets to the ball from deep square leg, slides and pulls the ball back in. Both batsmen turn blind for the third - and here is where the best part of the fielding comes - Richardson does not throw it to the keeper. He understands that Sarfraz has started to run only after he has picked up the ball and throws it to the bowler who disturbs the stumps! Sarfraz hangs around a touch - just to check whether Richardson had touched the ropes while fielding the ball - nope, luck is not his side. Timely wicket for Australia.
Andrew Tye to Sarfraz Ahmed. FOUR! Welcome into the attack! A length ball on middle, Sarfraz heaves this over mid on and gets a boundary! 139 more needed from 89 balls.
Andrew Tye to bowl now.
Jhye Richardson to Sarfraz Ahmed. Tucks this through fine leg and gets a run. Good over from Jhye.
Jhye Richardson to Sarfraz Ahmed. FOUR! Finally he connects this time. On a length outside off, Sarfraz backs away and smashes it over cover for a boundary.
Jhye Richardson to Sarfraz Ahmed. 'AAARGH!' yells Sarfraz in frustration. Fourth dot ball on the trot. A length ball outside off, Ahmed flays hard but misses.
Jhye Richardson to Sarfraz Ahmed. Follows the batsman, who is backing down the leg side, trying a super innovative shot - a run down to third man with a slip in place - only to miss.
Jhye Richardson to Sarfraz Ahmed. Is that out? Nope. On a length outside off, moving away, Sarfraz has a cheeky poke, trying to run this down to third man but misses. The Aussie keeper goes up in an appeal, along with his mate at first slip but umpire Tiffin shakes his head. There does not seem to be any edge from the replays.
Jhye Richardson to Sarfraz Ahmed. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
The experiment is over. Jhye Richardson is into the attack now.
Billy Stanlake to Sarfraz Ahmed. Pushes this through mid on for a run. 10 from that over, 31 off the last 2!
Billy Stanlake to Sarfraz Ahmed. FOUR! Well done again. A short ball, Sarfraz making a statement here - that they will not be intimidated by the short stuff. Clubs a pull over mid-wicket and finds the fence. 149 more needed from 97 balls.
Billy Stanlake to Sarfraz Ahmed. Outside off, on a length, Sarfraz swings but misses.
Billy Stanlake to Sarfraz Ahmed. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
Billy Stanlake to Fakhar Zaman. Outside off, punched to point for a quick single. Direct hit at the striker's end could have had Sarfraz back in the hut.
Billy Stanlake to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! He is doing a Short - chancing his arm. Not a bad ploy on this pitch. A short ball outside off, Zaman backs away and slices it high in the air. Manages to clear cover and gets a boundary.
Glenn Maxwell to Sarfraz Ahmed. FOUR! Where is Akash Chopra? Is he following this game? He must be sitting on his sofa somewhere and smiling - saying to himself - 'Finchy, I would never have given Maxwell another over'. 21 have come from it and Pakistan have wrestled the momentum back from Australia. This is short and outside off, Sarfraz backs away and cuts it behind point for a boundary. 158 more needed from 102 balls.
Glenn Maxwell to Sarfraz Ahmed. SIX! Sarfraz is turning it on now! Full and outside off, Sarfraz gets down and mows it miles over mid-wicket!
Glenn Maxwell to Fakhar Zaman. Comes down the track, has a bit of a heave and the ball goes off the inner half towards mid on. A quick single taken.
Glenn Maxwell to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! Nicely done! Floated outside off, Zaman backs away and lofts it over cover for consecutive boundaries! 169 more needed from 105 balls.
Glenn Maxwell to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! BOOM! Full on middle, Zaman charges out and blasts it past the bowler through mid on for a boundary!
Glenn Maxwell to Fakhar Zaman. NEARLY HIS THIRD WICKET! Maxwell is causing some problems out there. He senses Zaman to charge and flights it outside off, slowing the pace down a bit. Zaman swings hard and gets a leading edge. Luckily for him, the ball lands beyond cover. Two runs taken.
Maxwell continues... if you go by Akash Chopra's instincts, this is a big risk. You normally bowl a part-timer only once in the Powerplay - bowling him for more than 1 over could be asking for trouble.
Billy Stanlake to Sarfraz Ahmed. A short ball, around middle, Sarfraz looks to pull but the ball goes over the stumps.
Billy Stanlake to Fakhar Zaman. Taps and runs it towards cover for a quick single. 179 more needed from 109 balls.
Billy Stanlake to Fakhar Zaman. A bouncer at the head of the batsman, Zaman looks to play a belated pull - he first ducks, then attempts the shot - only to miss. He was out caught behind, trying to play the hook shot against Stanlake itself, in the first encounter.
Billy Stanlake to Sarfraz Ahmed. Outside off, Ahmed drives this away from the body and gets a thick outside edge behind point to third man. A single taken.
Billy Stanlake to Sarfraz Ahmed. Tighter line, towards the stumps, the keeper captain blocks.
Billy Stanlake to Sarfraz Ahmed. Landed outside off, a touch wide, Sarfraz tamely pushes and misses.
What a tactic from Aaron Finch to give Glenn Maxwell the opening over. Totally caught Pakistan off guard. Credit to Maxwell too for not bowling it too loose. It will be a proper bowler from the other end - Billy Stanlake.
Glenn Maxwell to Fakhar Zaman. Landed short and outside off, cut away square on the off side but straight to the fielder. 3 runs and 2 wickets off the opening over, Maxwell has done a stupendous job.
Glenn Maxwell to Sarfraz Ahmed. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. Sarfraz is off the mark.
Sarfraz Ahmed, the skipper, is the next man in.
Glenn Maxwell to Hussain Talat. OUT! Second of the over for Maxwell! This is a dream start for Australia. Superb bowling. The slowness of the surface is showing already. He tosses it up around off, a hint of spin and that's all that's needed to get Talat. He plays the expansive drive away from his body and slices it towards backward point. Richardson there gobbles it up with ease. No trouble there.
Glenn Maxwell to Hussain Talat. Not much spin on this occasion, fuller and around off, Talat pushes it to the covers.
Glenn Maxwell to Hussain Talat. Quicker through the air outside off, Talat plays and misses.
Hussain Talat walks in at no.3.
Glenn Maxwell to Sahibzada Farhan. OUT! The debutant is gone! A horrifying start to his Pakistan career. Oh, dear. Maxwell darts it down the leg side as Farhan steps out of his crease a bit. Tries flicking it, misses and as he's attempting to get back, loses his balance and can't make it back in time as his leg gets stuck just before the crease. Carey takes the bails off in a flash. No need to go to the third umpire, the decision is that clear.
Glenn Maxwell to Fakhar Zaman. Full and on off from around the wicket, Zaman drives it to the right of mid off for a single. He's off the mark.
We are back for the chase. It's all set up for a belter if Pakistan can get going. On a rather slow surface, it will be Fakhar Zaman and the debutant Sahibzada Farhan to open the innings, with Glenn Maxwell taking the new ball first. Let's roll...