In a thrilling T20 showdown in Sydney, Australian pacer Spencer Johnson delivered an outstanding performance, clinching a career-best 5-26 to steer Australia to a series victory over Pakistan. On Saturday, Australia defended a modest total of 148 runs to win the match by 13 runs, taking an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the three-match series under the leadership of stand-in captain Josh Inglis.
The left-arm speedster Johnson proved too much for the Pakistani batsmen, dismissing key players including Mohammad Rizwan, who was sent back to the pavilion with just 16 runs to his name, and the top-scorer Usman Khan at 52 runs. Johnson’s lethal five-wicket haul was instrumental in derailing Pakistan’s pursuit of the target.
Despite the batting adversity, Irfan Khan showed resilience with an unbeaten 37, mounting a counter-attack that kept Pakistan’s hopes alive. However, the consistent fall of wickets and tight bowling from the Australian side left Pakistan short, culminating in a total of 134 all out.
Following his match-winning spell, Johnson, who was named player of the match, shared his sentiments on the unpredictability of a cricketer’s career and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent Australia.
The first innings had set a dramatic stage with Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Abbas turning the tide in their favor. Rauf’s 4-22 and Abbas’s 3-17 undermined an aggressive start from Australian openers, including Fraser-McGurk and D’Arcy Short, who had notched up 50 runs in just 3.1 overs. Critical drops from the Pakistani fielders, however, allowed Australia to push the score to 147-9.
Australia’s innings saw the fall of prominent batsmen including captain Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, and Glenn Maxwell, as Pakistan exerted pressure with disciplined bowling and tight fielding post the initial onslaught.
Johnson’s five-for added a significant milestone, as he equaled Shadab Khan’s T20I tally of 107 wickets. This achievement underscores his rising stature in the T20 circuit and contributes to Australia’s growing strength in the format.
As the series moves forward, Pakistan will look to recalibrate and aim for a strong comeback in the remaining fixtures. The series has so far showcased remarkable performances and promises even more excitement as both teams contend for dominance on the field.
