Australia have been handed the worst potential conclusion to their World Cup warmup, struggling their heaviest T20 worldwide defeat in a 3rd successive morale-sapping capitulation to Pakistan.
Nonetheless wounded from a 90-run defeat 24 hours earlier at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium – their worst loss to Pakistan – it solely acquired much more dire for Mitch Marsh’s facet on Sunday as they have been spun to a record-breaking 111-run loss on the identical floor.
Having misplaced the toss, Australia needed to toil as soon as extra as Pakistan racked up 207-6, their highest ever complete in a T20 towards Australia.
It featured half-centuries from their scorching opener Saim Ayub (56 off 37 balls) and the much-maligned Babar Azam (50no off 36) earlier than a late 19-ball rampage from Shadab Khan (46).
In reply, Australia folded pitifully for simply 96 off 16.5 tortuous overs, strangled as soon as once more by Pakistan’s spinners, led by wily left-armer Mohammad Nawaz, who ended up with 5-18 off his 4 overs.
It resulted within the heaviest loss, by way of runs, in all their 222 T20 internationals stretching again 21 years, surpassing their 100-run loss to England at Southampton within the format’s infancy again in 2005.
Simply to place a tin hat on their terrible day, Australia’s star spinner Adam Zampa, who had earlier bowled two overs for 20 runs, didn’t bat as he was combating a groin niggle, however it was later reported to be solely a precautionary transfer.
“Pakistan actually outplayed us all through the entire collection,” mentioned Marsh, whose dismissal for one initiated the rout.
“Chasing is tough on that floor and also you want partnerships. We’ll take learnings from that. We will definitely tackle this collection and look ahead to the World Cup.”
However regardless that his inexperienced facet needs to be bolstered going into their first World Cup match in Sri Lanka in 10 days’ time with the return of Glenn Maxwell, Tim David and Josh Hazlewood, there was no hiding from the humiliation of the previous 4 days.
Most alarming, with Sri Lanka’s equally spin-friendly wickets awaiting, was simply how at sea their batters regarded towards high-quality tweakers, with solely Marcus Stoinis (23), Cameron Inexperienced (22) and Josh Philippe (14), who just isn’t within the World Cup squad, reaching double figures.
Already with out injured Take a look at captain Pat Cummins, it appeared to point out why Australia may have executed with the expertise, batting excellence and management of the neglected Steve Smith at a World Cup the place spin may show key.
Debutant Matt Renshaw had one other powerful day, bowled when attempting to ramp Shaheen Shah Afridi, who ensured it wasn’t solely a spin present as he added that wicket to the scalp of Marsh, who he bowled with a magnificence that reduce on simply the fourth ball of the innings.
It meant Renshaw has begun his T20I profession with innings of 15, two and one to take into the World Cup, whereas Cooper Connolly has scored only one run and suffered three dismissals whereas dealing with eight balls. This time, he acquired flummoxed by Nawaz and was stumped.
It proved a outstanding day for Nawaz, who loved two separate overs wherein he snaffled two wickets. The important thing over was the tenth, when he removed Australia’s two top-scorers Stoinis and Inexperienced, the latter being deceived by an excellent turner.
The match was additionally overshadowed later by information that Pakistan are planning to boycott their match towards India in Sri Lanka in a fortnight.
Earlier than the third match Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq hit again after his bowling motion gave the impression to be mocked by Inexperienced within the second T20I.
Inexperienced (35 off 20) top-scored in Australia’s failed chase, then appeared to imitate Tariq’s sidearm, slinging motion as he walked into the dugout having fallen to the spinner.
Tariq later responded in an Instagram submit, sharing a video of a kid crying with the caption: “After getting out”.
There isn’t any indication that officers or the Australian group have lodged a grievance.
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