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Pakistan beat Australia by 11 runs, clinch 10th consecutive T20 series victory

AFP Published October 26, 2018
Muhammad Hafez celebrates after dismissing Australian cricketer Alex Carey.—AFP
Muhammad Hafez celebrates after dismissing Australian cricketer Alex Carey.—AFP
Shadab Khan takes a diving catch to dismiss Australian cricketer Chris Lynn. —AFP
Shadab Khan takes a diving catch to dismiss Australian cricketer Chris Lynn. —AFP
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Pakistan upstaged Australia by 11 runs in the second Twenty20 international in Dubai to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series on Friday.

Sarfaraz had opted to bat first after winning the toss. Babar Azam hit a 44-ball 45 with three boundaries while Mohammad Hafeez scored a quick 34-ball 40 with two sixes and three boundaries at Dubai stadium.

Nathan Coulter-Nile finished with 3-18 while Billay Stanlake took 2-36.

For Australia Glenn Maxwell top scored with 52.

Pakistan, who won the first match by 66 runs in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, had brought senior batsman Shoaib Malik in place of Hussain Talat.

Australia, bowled out for a paltry 89 in Abu Dhabi, replaced spinner Ashton Agar with allrounder Mitchell Marsh in the XI.

The third match will be played in Dubai, on Sunday.

Squads:

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf

Australia: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa

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J,Gamble
Oct 26, 2018 09:29pm
Projected score 167
Recommend 0
Orakzai
Oct 26, 2018 09:43pm
wrong decision by sarfaraz
Recommend 0
Indian
Oct 26, 2018 09:54pm
Hope the Aussies give fight this time and make the match interesting.
Recommend 0
Indian
Oct 26, 2018 09:55pm
Babar is playing well but he is scoring little slow. Very slow infact
Recommend 0
Farhan
Oct 26, 2018 10:24pm
Usual middle overs' frustration and collapse!
Recommend 0
wsyed
Oct 26, 2018 10:37pm
Useless Sarfraz afraid to bat, decides to send in lowlers ahead of him. Please retire Sarfraz, save nation the embarrassment.
Recommend 0
Indian
Oct 26, 2018 10:58pm
@wsyed Absolutely right. Bring in Rizwan as keeper and make shoiab the captain.
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Azhar
Oct 26, 2018 10:59pm
Sarfaraz useless batsman.
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Arif
Oct 26, 2018 11:43pm
Is this the same Sarfraz the so called STREET FIGHTER FROM KRACHI or he is a COWARD....A big question mark on his leadership skills....
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Manjur Chowdhry BD
Oct 26, 2018 11:44pm
Middle order needs help. Asif and Talat haven't proved themselves yet because the top order is reluctant to score at a rapid pace!
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Pakistan
Oct 27, 2018 12:11am
Surfaraz face changes with every all .He looks immature and acts as if he is only the perfect player.
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Philosopher (From Japan)
Oct 27, 2018 12:35am
Pakistan have won it. Ten consecutive series win a unique record. Congrats team green and Sarfraz. Shut up call to Sarfraz haters.
Recommend 0
Shahid
Oct 27, 2018 12:46am
In the midst of these wins, the Pakistan coaches are forgetting that Pakistani upper order isn't batting as if they were playing T20s. Presently it looks as the bowlers will win us a game even if we score only a 100 in 20 overs but it won't last for ever.
Recommend 0
Karachitee
Oct 27, 2018 01:31am
@Philosopher (From Japan) Agree, can't change " typical mindset" of some people.
Recommend 0
syed
Oct 27, 2018 01:37am
sarfaraz haters stand up.you can leave the room
Recommend 0
Mzay
Oct 27, 2018 02:13am
Congratulations Team Green and job well done Captain. All the Sarfraz haters should eat the humble pie. He is the leader/strategist and knows what to do, winning 10 T20I series in a row is not a piece of cake, especially how unpredictable the game can become.
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Hadi
Oct 27, 2018 02:55am
10th consecutive victory! No 1 ranked side, no wonder!
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Shakil USA
Oct 27, 2018 04:38am
Opener depart early and middle order collapse. Green got lucky.
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Anoymous
Oct 27, 2018 04:49am
UAE has very slow pitches, it is difficult to score, hence the low scores. Not all pitces are like Aussie pitches. Sarfraz didn’t send himself in because he knows he can’t hit big shots but people like Asif, Faheem and Hasan can.
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Khany
Oct 27, 2018 04:56am
Pakistans batting is awfully low runs but still seem to win most matchs. Pakistan is ranked no1 due to their powerful bowling attack which is kind of weird in T20 cricket.
Recommend 0
Zulfi
Oct 27, 2018 05:11am
Amazing consistency. However we do need to improve (esp. batting) in ODIs
Recommend 0
Zulfi
Oct 27, 2018 05:14am
Once again bowlers won us the game. 147 is a modest total by T20 standards
Recommend 0
Jeff
Oct 27, 2018 05:22am
The Pakistan captain should be replaces before the WORLD CUP- Otherwise the consequences will be very disappointing to the team . we can still lose team like Bangladesh. Aus is in team building phase. it will take aussies at least another year to have a strong team
Recommend 0
tofail
Oct 27, 2018 05:49am
Our batting is not good need to improve
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Abhimanyu H
Oct 27, 2018 06:18am
Pakistan always surprises me. I don't think Pakistan is a strong team but what is strange here is the way they can just become a strong team very quickly. Pakistani team is very unpredictable they keep on making me guess. I'm confused with Pakistan, this unpredictability makes Pakistan very dangerous country to play with, you never know if they will get all out under 100 or just destroy the other team foundation with excellent batting and bowling combination. Anyway congrats Pakistan. Well played, I enjoyed watching the series. Can't wait for a nail biter with Pakistan. -Love from Karnataka, India. Abhi.
Recommend 0
TRUTH
Oct 27, 2018 06:41am
@Arif shamefully, your kind of ordinary biased folks can't accept a fighter and getting Pakistan victories. We all know why?
Recommend 0
TRUTH
Oct 27, 2018 06:42am
Well done Sarfaz & the team! Thank you
Recommend 0
Dr.M.S.Awan
Oct 27, 2018 06:44am
Well done Pakistan.It was a close and entertaining encounter.Pakistan team is a formidable force in T20.I hope they excel in one day matches as well because they do have the potential to do so.
Recommend 0
MNKhan
Oct 27, 2018 07:18am
Sarfaraz haters will never be happy even if he wins world cup for Pakistan. Same mindset which kept him out of team while kamran akmal continued his habit of dropping catches and the matches I hate to say but this hate compaign against sarfaraz is based on provincial prejudices. Karachi cricketers will continue to be on sword while in team and those out of team will be kept out at all cost. A karachi based cricketer has to preform 200 percent to stay in team while other can survive and make unlimited comebacks by performing just above 50 percent
Recommend 0
Ray
Oct 27, 2018 07:35am
@Orakzai really??
Recommend 0
Ray
Oct 27, 2018 07:36am
@Indian can an Indian ever be a well wisher??
Recommend 0
Ray
Oct 27, 2018 07:38am
@Arif yes, he’s the same street fighter who has made this team number one and has retained the spot for over a year now. Please learn the game, I can bet you’ve never held a bat on the ground.
Recommend 0
Ray
Oct 27, 2018 07:39am
@Pakistan he’s number one Sir. Let him act however he wishes, we just want to be number one.
Recommend 0
Vicky
Oct 27, 2018 07:40am
Well played Pakistan, bowling looks great. Like the way Babar Azam is batting with composure. They can improve by removing Sarfaraz as captain, the noise he creates will undermine any player as he handholds them.. heard him saying Pakkad to Imad when the ball was hit back to him (who does that at international level, even in gully cricket its not done). Over a period of time, players will start getting demoralised.. better to remove him and make Babar as captain from long term perspective. you will see results in ODI coming as well
Recommend 0
Naseer
Oct 27, 2018 07:59am
Pakistan batting still hasn't improved since a diastrous Asia cup. Coach & Selectors have to ponder, Had it been 50 over match the result would have gone either ways.
Recommend 0
Shoaib, Srinagar, Proud Indian
Oct 27, 2018 08:18am
Australia is a very good team.A close match.Pakistan needs consistency. Winning one or two match here and there doesn't make one team strong.
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Mahen
Oct 27, 2018 08:51am
@Philosopher (From Japan) Pakistan,s road to number 1 ranking in T20 Format- Here is how they got to the top-: 2014 Beat AFGHANISTAN 1-0 (Home) 2015 Beat ZIMBABWE 2-0 (Home) 2015 Beat Sri LANKA 2-0 (home) 2015 Lost to BANGLADESH (away) 2015 Beat Sri LANKA 2-0 (away) 2015 Beat ZIMBABWE 2-0 (AWAY) 2016 LOST to England 3-0 at home 2016 Beat West INDIES 3-0 (home) 2017 Beat West INDIES 3-1 (Away) 2017 Beat Sri LANKA 3-0 (Home) 2018 Beat Windies “ C “3-0 (home) 2018 Beat NZ (away) 2018 Beat IRELAND(away) 2018 Beat SCOTLAND (away) Congratulations!
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Booza
Oct 27, 2018 09:36am
Start releasing players who field poorly and drop catches. Dropping catch means giving lifeline to players. Recommendation is to look into Moneyball program and adapt to statistics: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game – Michael Lewis writes about the A’s and its General Manager Billy Beane. Its focus is the team’s analytical, evidence-based approach to assembling a competitive team.
Recommend 0
Shahbaz Ahmed Tarrar
Oct 27, 2018 10:28am
@Shoaib, Srinagar, Proud Indian Pakistan team is number 1 in T20. Also won 10th consecutive t20 series. Is it not consistent performance??
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Riaz
Oct 27, 2018 10:33am
Just because we are critical does not mean we are anti Sarfraz...however people commenting have a point...why does Sarfraz does not bat? He needs to lead from the front, after getting some runs in the final,test, yiunwould henwould want to bat? Definitely he is scared of failure. Bowlers are winning the matches, but the batting is very unsettled, Asif and Talat, are nit international standard. This side would get beaten, in knock out situation, as the batting is not consistent. Faqar, has lost it he just swing the bat...he does not need to do that. Lot of work to do even if they have won 10 series in a row,
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Anonymouseeeee
Oct 27, 2018 10:33am
Job well done Team GREEN.
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Z
Oct 27, 2018 10:53am
Why shoib Malik still in team?
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Pakistani
Oct 27, 2018 12:08pm
Congrats to team Pakistaan. Team effort did it. Take a bow Captain Sarfaraz. Good leadership bhai.
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Altaf Ahemed Ansari
Oct 27, 2018 12:16pm
I think, after ban on Wanner and Smith, They are not getting chance to temper the ball. May be the reason they are loosing all the matches. But who can deny the talent and experience of world's number one team PAKISTAN !!!!
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Altaf Ahemed Ansari
Oct 27, 2018 12:32pm
@Z Why shoib Malik still in team Because, he is the best middle order batsman. Don't you remember, he was the only reliable batsman during Asia cup. All other failed. In fact he is the back bone of middle order.
Recommend 0
helpless
Oct 27, 2018 12:40pm
Asif should have been promoted in the batting order, so that he does not bat at a time when there are only a few overs left, and there is nothing else to do but hit every ball. He is a natural hitter of the ball but did not get the chance to really showcase his talent.
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BAXAR
Oct 27, 2018 01:13pm
@Riaz "why does Sarfraz does not bat?" He's not in the team as batsman. But does bat very well when desperately needed, like in the test series.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Oct 27, 2018 03:11pm
Great show of unity, faith and discipline by the green-shirts. In fact, when you strongly believe in yourself, anything and everything is possible. Keep it up and hang on tough.
Recommend 0
Riaz
Oct 27, 2018 03:40pm
@BAXAR disagree when you are in form, you need to bat. He is an all rounder! Besides, when he contributes with the bat pressure is off him and he then captains the side better and gets the respect of the players....this is pure logic which Mickey must install in him. If you playe cricket you would appreciate what I am saying. Look at other captains around the world, they lead from the front, Williamson, Root, Smith until his ban, Du Plessie, Kholi of course, and even Afghan capitain. I like Sarfraz, has he is a simple guy with no pretensions
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Hasan
Oct 27, 2018 05:44pm
@Altaf Ahemed Ansari that's not true. He is using up the opportunity for another player to develop. Imad Wasim should be at number four. He is technically sound.
Recommend 0
BAXAR
Oct 27, 2018 06:49pm
@Riaz "He is an all rounder! " There is no such thing as all-rounder. There are three categories: batsman, bowler and wicket keeper. When someone can perform well in another job besides his specialized one, you call him that. You cannot add responsibility on someone just because he can sometimes be better than specialist batsmen. Try another pretext to get rid of him, there can be plenty and you'll be heard anyway. They even didn't need any for Fawad Alam. Sarfraz was lucky because of the Akmal brothers were not keeping at all, and not batting well lately.
Recommend 0
JACKJONES
Oct 28, 2018 01:38am
Well played Pakistan!!! Excellent work Sarfraz!! His strategy throughout the match was outstanding. If he came in to bat earlier and scored a few runs Sarfraz haters would not be happy and if he didn't bat at all which is what happened Sarfraz haters were still unhappy. Sarfraz cannot hit big shots thus the reason for sending Faheem, Hasan and Imad before him. Overall, the team worked well though I think we were about 15 runs short of our targeted score our bowling did extremely well. Welcome to the team Imad!! Great batting Babar and Hafeez!! The six that Hafeez hit on the leg side was an extraordinary shot!!
Recommend 0
Haryanavi_chora
Oct 28, 2018 12:36pm
Meanwhile king Kohli scored back to back 3 centuries!!!
Recommend 0
Haryanavi_chora
Oct 28, 2018 12:37pm
Team Australia at the moment is playing like how Pakistan played in the Asia Cup!!!
Recommend 0
JackJones
Oct 28, 2018 01:16pm
@Mahen who has number 1 ranking in T20 per ICC? Pakistan. Thank you.
Recommend 0
JACKJONES
Oct 28, 2018 03:41pm
@Mahen Please add two more to your list - (1) Beat Australia in the Tri-series NOT at home and (2) Won the series against Australia (In UAE). I cannot check the integrity of your data since you did not list a source. Doesn't change the fact that Pakistan is number 1 in the ICC T-20 ranking.
Recommend 0
JACKJONES
Oct 28, 2018 03:47pm
Looking forward to the third T-20 today. I think Shadab and Sarfraz should rest. Maybe give the captaincy to S Malik and Vice captaincy to Babar. Pakistan has won the series so they should try out new players. Thank you
Recommend 0

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