• Australia registered a thumping victory over Pakistan by 29 runs in first T20I of the three-game series.

  • Glenn Maxwell was named Player of the Match for his explosive batting.

Twitter reactions: Glenn Maxwell, Xavier Bartlett star as Australia thrash Pakistan in a rain-hit 1st T20I | AUS vs PAK
Australia vs Pakistan (Image Source: X)

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In the first T20I of the three-match series at Brisbane, a rain delay turned the contest between Australia and Pakistan into an electrifying seven-over shootout. With the series opener shortened, the stakes grew higher as both teams adjusted their strategies for the quickfire game. Australia, batting first after Pakistan elected to field, set a competitive target of 94 runs, ultimately winning by 29 runs and taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Glenn Maxwell was named Player of the Match for his explosive batting.

Glenn Maxwell’s power-hitting sets Australia on fire

Maxwell proved to be the anchor of Australia’s batting, delivering an exceptional knock under pressure. Coming in after Australia lost two quick wickets, Maxwell unleashed his signature blend of powerful strikes and innovative shot-making, smashing 43 off 19 balls. His innings included five fours and three towering sixes, which gave Australia the acceleration they desperately needed.

Maxwell’s aggressive intent put Pakistan’s bowlers under immense pressure, with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah conceding boundaries at an unusually high rate. Maxwell’s timing and placement were impeccable, as he maneuvered the ball to disrupt the Pakistan bowlers’ rhythm. Marcus Stoinis provided late support, scoring a quick 21 off seven balls, as Australia ended their innings at a formidable 93/4, a challenging target in a seven-over game.

Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis lead Australia’s impressive bowling counterattack

Defending a total just under 100, Australia’s bowlers delivered a remarkable performance. Fast bowler Xavier Bartlett opened with high energy, dismissing key players to rock Pakistan’s top order. His spell, which yielded three wickets, set the tone, as he effectively varied his pace and line to unsettle the Pakistan batters. Meanwhile, Nathan Ellis showcased precision and discipline, ending with three wickets for just nine runs. Ellis’s bowling stood out as he maintained a tight line, exploiting any impatience from Pakistan’s batters to claim vital breakthroughs. Between Bartlett’s power and Ellis’s accuracy, Australia quickly dismantled Pakistan’s lineup, leaving them in a precarious position from which they could not recover.

Also READ: AUS vs PAK 2024, T20I series: Broadcast, Live Streaming details – When and where to watch in India, Australia, Pakistan, USA, UK & other countries

Pakistan struggle against tight Australian bowling

Pakistan’s chase got off to a rocky start, with the Australian bowlers maintaining pressure from the outset. Key batters, including captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, fell cheaply, unable to handle the pace and accuracy of Bartlett and Ellis. Abbas Afridi provided a brief glimmer of resistance, scoring an unbeaten 20, but his efforts were insufficient to change the course of the game. Australia’s bowlers kept their lines tight, forcing Pakistan into risky shots. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa also contributed, picking up two wickets and adding to Pakistan’s woes. By the end of their seven overs, Pakistan had managed only 64/9, falling 29 runs short and conceding the game to a spirited Australian side.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Also READ: AUS vs PAK, 2024: Australia’s best playing XI for the T20I series against Pakistan

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AMAR PAL SINGH BHALLA
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