Published 12:49 IST, November 3rd 2019
Babar Azam's unbeaten fifty takes Pakistan to 107/5 against Australia
Babar Azam's solid half-century helped Pakistan post 107/5 in the rain-curtailed 15-over match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
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Australia managed to restrict Pakistan to a total of 107/5 in a rain-curtailed match after winning the toss and electing to bowl first. The match was shortened to 15-overs per side due to a rain delay at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. The Aussies got off to a solid start as Mitchell Starc removed opener Fakhar Zaman on the second ball of the match as the southpaw walked back for a golden duck and Kane Richardson sent Haris Sohail back to the dugout.
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Babar Azam resurrects Pakistan
Pakistan's newly appointed T20I skipper Babar Azam once again proved why he is the top-ranked batsman in the shortest format of the game. After the Men In Green were reduced to 10/2, Azam added a 60-run stand along with wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan for the third wicket stand. Rizwan played a good supporting knock of a 33-ball 31. Babar scored a blistering 38-ball unbeaten 59 at a strike rate of 155.26 which included five boundaries and two maximums and some finishing touches in the end from Asif Ali helped Pakistan get to a decent total. Australia in reply got off to a brisk start and were at 41/0 after 3.1 overs before the rain delay. Openers David Warner and Aaron Finch were batting at 2 and 37 respectively.
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Pakistan hoping to rediscover their rhythm
Pakistan, who are currently the top-ranked T20I side have not had a good time in the game's shortest format so far. In fact, they have not won any T20I series this year. After winning 11 consecutive T20I series under the captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmed, Pakistan had lost an away series against South Africa earlier this year and were whitewashed at home by Sri Lanka recently after which Sarfaraz was sacked from captaincy and was replaced by Babar Azam in the shortest format. Meanwhile, Pakistan will be looking to make amends in the ongoing series and prove why they are the number one T20I side.
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11:45 IST, November 3rd 2019