AUS vs PAK, 1st T20I: Maxwell’s explosive knock powers Australia to victory in 7-over thriller

Glenn Maxwell’s explosive 43 off 19 balls powered Australia to a dominant 29-run win over Pakistan in the rain-shortened T20I opener at The Gabba.

New Delhi: Australia, led by Josh Inglis, secured a commanding 29-run victory over Pakistan in the rain-affected T20I series opener at The Gabba on November 14, with Glenn Maxwell’s explosive knock setting an unassailable target and giving Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Although Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk couldn’t maintain their early aggression, Glenn Maxwell took charge at number three, unleashing a spectacular display of big-hitting. Maxwell smashed 43 off just 19 balls, taking apart top bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, while Marcus Stoinis added a quickfire 21 off 7 balls. Their efforts propelled Australia to a formidable total of 93 runs in seven overs, setting an imposing target for Pakistan.

Pakistan’s batting lineup struggled under the pressure of the steep chase, with their attempts to go big from the start falling short. Key players, including captain Mohammad Rizwan (dismissed for a duck) and Babar Azam, failed to form significant partnerships. Australian bowlers Xavier Bartlett (3/13) and Nathan Ellis (3/9) capitalized on the situation, applying intense pressure with stellar performances. As a result, Pakistan could only manage 64 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their seven overs, handing Australia a 29-run victory.

Despite the shortened format, which added pressure to the chase, Pakistan’s inability to adapt and build steady partnerships was evident. Heading into the second T20I in Sydney on November 16, they will need to address their batting shortcomings and aim to level the series. With adjustments needed, Pakistan will focus on bringing their best game to remain competitive in the ongoing series.