Australia set a challenging target of 94 runs for Pakistan in the first T20I at The Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday, after being asked to bat first. Glenn Maxwell was the standout performer for Australia, blasting 43 runs off 19 balls, which included eight boundaries, three of them sixes. His powerful knock took Australia to 33/1 in the first two overs, but Pakistan fought back through Haris Rauf, who bowled a tight over and removed Matthew Short (7). Maxwell continued his onslaught, hitting two sixes and a four off Rauf’s next over, before being dismissed by Abbas Afridi for 43. In the same over, Abbas struck again, dismissing Tim David (9), caught by Irfan Khan. Marcus Stoinis finished off the innings strongly with an unbeaten 21 from just 7 balls, including two fours and a six, lifting Australia’s total to 93/4 in the shortened 7-over match.
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For Pakistan, Abbas Afridi claimed two wickets, while Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took one wicket each. The match has been reduced to seven overs per side due to rain and thunderstorms, with each bowler allowed a maximum of two overs. The powerplay is limited to two overs.
Pakistan’s chase will be led by Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, with the team hoping to chase down the target under the pressure of the reduced overs. The weather, though still a concern, has improved enough for the game to proceed. The teams are now set for an exciting contest to kick off the series.
