Pakistan vs Australia, 2nd T20I at Sydney, PAK vs AUS

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Shaheen shares a laugh with Haris Rauf as he buries his head into his shoulder. The team’s called up for a collective pose with the series trophy. Celebrations all round. It is those scenes that we leave you with, and we hope to see you again for the T20Is. Take care!

Squads:

Australia ODI squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

Pakistan ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan, Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Agha Salman, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Irfan Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Mohammad Rizwan says “It’s a special moment from me and the fans. As a whole team we are happy. I don’t want to be captain just for the presentation or toss. I’m open to suggestions from everyone, the older players, the younger players and the backroom staff. I’ll give all the credit to the bowlers. Australia in Australia is not easy. But Saim and Abdullah have given us a couple of great starts, too. The fans love us regardless of whether we win or lose and I really appreciate that.”

“Pretty disappointing performance.” Josh Inglis says. “Completely outplayed. It’s up to us to get through tough periods. Really cool experience captaining Australia but pretty disappointing series”.

Haris Rauf is the Player of the Match. “This means a lot to Pakistan, because we’ve been struggling a lot for the last few months,” he says. “We’re playing for the fans who come to the ground every time to support us. We’ve been practicing a lot the past few weeks, talking among the fast bowlers, communicating well, and it’s paying off.”

Says Glenn Maxwell is a superstar, and somewhat humbly puts down his three dismissals of Maxwell to luck.

Glenn Maxwell and Haris Rauf stop for a catch-up and a warm embrace as we get ready for the presentation ceremony.

The lap continues. The uncomplicated joy on their faces is stirring. Very rare to feel like bilateral ODI series matter, but this one really does for this Pakistan side. They never, never, take a win in Australia for granted.

Pakistan take a lap of honour around the Optus Stadium, with their fans thronging the sidelines as they celebrate. How they have craved such scenes, and how long they have been deprived of them.

Varshini : “When Pak last won a series in Aus , their coach Dizzy Gillespie was bowling against them. Today , his knowledge of the australian conditions combined with some spirited performances made it possible after 22 years”

There are hugs and smiles all around as Pakistan celebrate their first series win in Australia in 2002. The manner of the wins will hugely excite Pakistan. After a time when Pakistan’s fast bowling has needed a feel-good story, their quartet here has delivered in style. “Better than us” Wasim Akram says, comparing this win to the 2002 series triumph. High praise indeed.

Anupam: “Lets appreciate Pakistan for quality cricket, but whether this series is a turnaround for then, lets hold on to that thought. Aussies will again pick themselves up once champions trophy comes with addition of players like Head, Marsh etc”

Babar and Rizwan hold their arms aloft as the pair embrace, wide smiles on their faces. It’s been a difficult year for Pakistan, but finally signs they may be ending it on something of a high.

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