PAK vs AUS: Pakistan defeat Australia in second T20I, clinch the series 2-0

The Australians were given a target of 148 to chase and draw the series. However, much to disbelief of both Aaron Finch and Short- Third umpire gave Short out despite the replays not being able to give a conclusive answer

The Australian squad was left disappointed after losing the match by 11 runs as Pakistan attained a 2-0 lead to clinch the three-match T20I series. Pakistan continued with their dominance in the shortest format of the game after winning the second T20I vs. Australia, which was also their tenth consecutive T20 International series win. The Australian side that suffered a batting collapse at the start could manage 138 for 8 following a disappointing show in the first game. 

After struggling against Imad Wasim and Faheem Ashraf in the first two overs, D'Arcy Short adding to the Aussies grievance, who was then batting at the non-striker’s end was given out after Pakistani spinner Imad Wasim got a finger to a shot returned from Aaron Finch that later went on to hit the stumps on the bowler's end. The bizarre dismissal triggered yet another top order collapse for the Aussies as they were 34 for 3 after the end of the first seven overs. 

The Australians were given a target of 148 to chase in order to win and draw the series. However, much to disbelief of both Aaron Finch and Short- Third umpire gave Short out despite the replays not being able to give a conclusive answer. 

Hoever, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh took the responsibility to pull their team back into the game. Both scored a 30 run stand for the fourth wicket. After Marsh getting caught behind the stumps, Maxwell was left with too much to handle as his side slipped to 73 for 6 in the 14th over.

Maxwell’s 52 runs in 37 balls gave some hope for a comeback in the game. Not only that, a 59-run with Nathan Coulter-Nile kept Pakistan on their toes  before they eventually dismissed both the batsmen. 

After losing the match, Glenn Maxwell and hsi side were left fumed due to the run-out given to D'Árcy short by the Third umpire. 

"We certainly had a view as a team that we thought his bat was clearly grounded behind the line," Maxwell said at the post-match press conference. “Maybe the third umpire pressed the wrong button. We've all made mistakes.”

"As we probably saw it in the change rooms, there wasn't really any doubt. I think if you even look at the way he's holding his bat, it's very hard to hold it above the line with the bat sitting out of his gloves.” he added.

However, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed had different views regarding the run-out.

"I don't know why (there was) so much reaction because clearly it is out," he said. "The bat is not on the ground."

Brief scores: Pakistan 147/6 in 20 overs (Babar Azam 45; Nathan Coulter-Nile 3-18) beat Australia 136/8 in 20 overs (Glenn Maxwell 52; Shadab Khan 2-30) by 11 runs.