Spencer Johnson’s Five-Wicket Haul Seals Series for Australia in Thriller Against Pakistan

Australian seamer Spencer Johnson delivered a career-defining performance, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket as the hosts defeated Pakistan by 13 runs in a nail-biting second T20 International at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The victory gave Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Johnson’s Brilliance Stifles Pakistan’s Chase

Set a modest target of 148, Pakistan struggled to find momentum and were reeling at 44-4 during the powerplay. Spencer Johnson ripped through the top order with a fiery opening spell, removing key batters Mohammad Rizwan (16) and Salman Agha (0) in quick succession.

Usman Khan provided some resistance for Pakistan, crafting a resilient 52 after being dropped early in his innings by Matthew Short. However, Johnson returned to dismiss Usman during his final spell, tightening Australia’s grip on the match.

With Pakistan needing 16 runs off the final over, Johnson capped off his sensational performance by removing Abbas Afridi for four, finishing with figures of 5-26. Irfan Khan (37*) launched a valiant counter-attack but ran out of partners as Haris Rauf was run out on the penultimate ball, leaving Pakistan all out for 134.

Australia’s Strong Start Undone by Pakistan’s Bowlers

Earlier, Australia opted to bat first and got off to a blistering start. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short hammered 21 runs off the opening over from Shaheen Afridi, setting the tone for an aggressive powerplay. The pair continued to attack, reaching 50 runs in just 3.1 overs before Pakistan’s bowlers regained control.

• Haris Rauf’s Double Blow: Rauf dismissed Fraser-McGurk for 20 after the batter attempted an ambitious cross-batted shot. He struck again two balls later, sending skipper Josh Inglis back for a duck, courtesy of a stunning diving catch by Sufiyan Muqeem.
• Short Falls for 32: Matthew Short looked dangerous but was undone by a slower delivery from Abbas Afridi, while Marcus Stoinis (14) was dismissed by Muqeem after surviving two dropped catches earlier.

Australia’s middle order faltered under pressure as Glenn Maxwell (21) and Tim David (15) fell in quick succession. Maxwell’s attempt to accelerate after recovering from a top-edge injury saw him hole out against Muqeem, while Tim David’s brief resistance ended with him becoming Rauf’s third victim.

• Rauf’s Milestone: Rauf capped off his remarkable spell by clean-bowling Xavier Bartlett, equaling Shadab Khan’s record as Pakistan’s leading T20I wicket-taker with 107 dismissals. He finished with standout figures of 4-22.
• Afridi’s Contribution: Abbas Afridi provided excellent support with 3-17, helping restrict Australia to a seemingly manageable 147-9 despite multiple dropped catches by Pakistan’s fielders.

Turning Point: Pakistan’s Batting Woes

Despite their bowlers’ strong recovery, Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered against Australia’s disciplined attack. Spencer Johnson’s fiery spells ensured that Pakistan never fully recovered from their poor start. Usman Khan’s half-century provided hope, but a lack of partnerships and timely wickets kept Australia ahead.

Irfan Khan’s unbeaten 37 brought Pakistan within striking distance, but Johnson’s brilliance and Australia’s sharp fielding sealed the deal for the hosts.

Series in Context

With the win, Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, showcasing their depth and resilience despite moments of pressure. Pakistan, on the other hand, will look to regroup and salvage pride in the final match of the series.

The final T20I will be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Pakistan will aim to address their batting concerns and end the series on a high note.

Spencer Johnson’s electrifying five-wicket haul will undoubtedly remain the highlight of the series, marking him as a rising star in Australia’s bowling arsenal.