Mohammad Aamer took 3 wickets as Pakistan beat Australia by 11 runs
BIRMINGHAM, England: Mohammad Aamer took 3 wickets as Pakistan beat Australia by 11 runs in the second Twenty20 international at Edgbaston on 06 July 2010 to complete a 2-0 series win.
Australia, chasing 163runs to win, were dismissed for 151 with 18 year old left armer Muhammad Aamer taking 3 wickets for 27 runs in his maximum four overs the same figures as he returned during Pakistan’s 23 run win here on 5 July.
The man of the match struck early to remove openers David Warner and Michael Clarke before having Mitchell Johnson lbw late on to the delight of a pro Pakistan crowd.
With just one wicket standing, a target of 19runs off the last over proved beyond Australia and Shaun Tait was run out with 2 balls left.
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and fellow spinner Saeed Ajmal kept the pressure on with three middle order wickets.
As was the case in their dramatic T20 semi final win over Pakistan in St Lucia in May, Australia’s hopes, with 35 runs needed off the last 3 overs, rested with Michael Hussey.
But the left hander, whose dashing 60runs not out turned that match on its head, was lbw to paceman Umar Gul for 25, featuring 4 fours, when he missed an ambitious reverse sweep.
Australia’s bowlers had done a good job in holding Pakistan to 162runs for nine with left arm quick Dirk Nannes striking twice in two balls to remove dangermen Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi.
No Pakistan batsman made more than Kamran Akmal’s 33runs although Aamer hit 2 sixes late on as he finished on 21 runs not out.
But no Australia batsman made more than David Hussey’s 33runs.
Australia saw captain Clarke promote himself to opener in place of Shane Watson who, along with leg spinner Steven Smith, was rested.
Clarke, who averaged just over 15 in Australia’s run to the World T20 final where they lost to England, was in superb touch while making 30 runs as his side slumped to 33runs for three.
Warner was lbw for one to Muhammad Aamer, although replays suggested the ball was narrowly missing leg stump.
Shoaib Akhtar then had Tim Paine skying to Umar Gul at mid off for nought.
In between those dismissals, Clarke played some superb strokes including a cover driven four off Muhammad Aamer.
But having struck six boundaries in only 17 balls he played on to Aamer.
James Hopes and David Hussey staunched the flow of wickets and Australia were 78 for three at halfway, needing 85runs off the last 10 overs.
However, a fifty stand was ended when Hopes, on 30, was smartly stumped by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal off leg spinner Afridi.
Australia were now 83runs for four in the 12th over and in need of boundaries.
