Adam Zampa four-fer can’t save makeshift crew
Australia’s makeshift team suffered a meek 22-run defeat in their first T20 international against Pakistan in Lahore despite the best efforts of evergreen spinner Adam Zampa.
In a shadow side featuring three new players and without many senior names in the run-up to the World Cup, it was left to all-time leading T20 wicketkeeper Zampa to spearhead an excellent performance of 4-24 at the Gaddafi Stadium to restrict Pakistan to 8-168 in the first of the three-match series.
Australia’s Xavier Bartlett (second from left), Adam Zampa (third from right) and Pakistani players walk off the field at the end of a T20 cricket match in Lahore, Pakistan.Credit: access point
But Australia’s response on Thursday was a disappointment and as stand-in captain Travis Head departed for 23 after a quick cameo and Cameron Green was left on 36, they never looked like getting anywhere near their target and finished with 8-146.
The impressive Xavier Bartlett, who had earlier been Zampa’s best prop with 2-26, at least made a belated move and smashed an unbeaten 34 from 25 balls, but the game was already over as Pakistan’s spinners stifled the Australian middle-order.
This leaves Pakistan enjoying their first victory in a T20 against Australia in nearly seven years and after seven consecutive defeats, they will look to this as a boost at the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month.
However, Australia were predictably short of weapons, with captain Mitch Marsh rested and the absence of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell and Tim David, whose pre-Cup injury concerns made them unavailable.
Australia’s Mahli Beardman (right) celebrates with her teammates following the dismissal of Pakistan’s Shadab Khan.Credit: access point
Of the three starters, Test batsman Matt Renshaw was dismissed for 15 after a disastrous mix-up with Green, and all-rounder Jack Edwards scored a wicketless 25 from two overs and failed to bat (five).
But there was at least some cheering for 20-year-old Perth Scorchers pacer Mahli Beardman, who recovered impressively after being bowled for 13 off her first over by Saim Ayub for a six and delivered at the death, taking two back-end wickets in successive balls.
