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The first T20I match between Australia and Pakistan, played in Brisbane on Thursday, saw a thrilling encounter that was ultimately decided by the rain-affected conditions. Despite the disruption, the game showcased the brilliance of Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who anchored his team's innings with a powerful 43 runs from just 19 deliveries, and the stellar bowling performances of Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis. The match was shortened to seven overs per side due to heavy rain and lightning, but it didn't deter the intensity of the contest.
Australia set a formidable target of 93-4, thanks to Maxwell's explosive knock and contributions from openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short, who got the innings off to a flying start. The Australian bowlers, in particular, Bartlett and Ellis, making their comebacks from injury, proved highly effective in keeping the Pakistani batsmen under pressure, eventually restricting them to just 64-9. Pakistan's chase got off to a promising start with Sahibzada Farhan hitting consecutive boundaries. However, the loss of key wickets, including Rizwan for a duck and Babar Azam for three, left Pakistan reeling at 16-4.
Despite Abbas's valiant effort of 20 runs off 10 balls, Pakistan couldn't recover from the early setbacks. Australia's bowling attack, spearheaded by Bartlett and Ellis, proved too strong for the Pakistani batsmen, who struggled to cope with the pace and accuracy of the Australian bowlers. The match highlighted the importance of adaptability and resilience in limited-overs cricket, where weather conditions can significantly impact the outcome. Both teams will be looking to improve their performances in the remaining matches of the series, with the focus shifting to the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday and concluding in Hobart on Monday.
Source: Glenn Maxwell stars as Australia beat Pakistan in rain-truncated first T20I