Sublime Smith steers Australia to comfortable win over Pakistan in second T20 – Sport

Master hitter Steve Smith stroked an impeccable 80 undefeated when Australia beat Pakistan by seven wickets in Canberra to go 1-0 in their Twenty20 three-game series.

Pakistan, the top-ranked, established 150 competitors for six of its 20 overs, with captain Babar Azam hitting his second half-century in a row and Iftikhar Ahmed pounding a quick shot 62.

But his bowling attack was no match for Smith, who took his fourth 50 in the short 36-ball format, with six-fourths and a big six, as Australia reached 151 for three with nine extra balls.

He put them 1-0 after the opening game in Sydney on Sunday was abandoned due to rain. The final game is in Perth on Friday.

"Very nice. I thought we were pretty good all day, "said Captain Aaron Finch.

“Obtaining wickets consistently was key. Everyone is playing their roles really well, and we have guys like Steve, who does what he does best. "

Australia is on a good run of T20, without being defeated in its last seven games.

"Credit goes to Smith," said Azam. “He took the game with some great tickets. We are very disappointed. We don't hit well in the power game. "

David Warner had been in fantastic contact after scoring 219 without losing his wicket in four previous innings, and sinisterly broke 16 of the opening of Imad Wasim.

However, the explosive opener was cleared by Mohammad Amir for 20, losing a drive, and when Finch fell by 17 to veteran sailor Mohammad Irfan, Pakistan's hopes increased.

But with Smith in the wicket, it was never going to be easy and the experienced activist picked up the gaps and found the boundary strings with impeccable shots, while taking quick singles.

With Ben McDermott at the other end, he pushed the score to 86 for two of the first 10 overs before his teammate fell in weight against Wasim by 21.

He left Smith and Ashton Turner with 45 runs to win 42 balls, which they comfortably achieved.

Previously, Azam, the best T20 batter in the world, re-anchored Pakistan's entrances with 50 balls of 38 while his teammates fell around him until he found support from Ahmed, who made a maid, and entertaining, half century.

After Pakistan won the raffle and opted to hit, starter Fakhar Zaman, who desperately needed races, stood fighting Pat Cummins and left for two, leading Warner halfway.

Haris Sohail reached the fold but only lasted nine balls, he went for six.

He took his breath away from Pakistan's sails, and the races dried up before Azam and Mohammad Rizwan started pushing the scoreboard, until Ashton Hagar fired Rizwan and then Asif Ali in quick succession.

Azam finally found Ahmed's support before the captain ran out of 50, his twelfth in short format, after a fantastic Warner training.

Ahmed made sure it was a competitive score, breaking 22 points of Richardson's penultimate.

Alignments:

Australia: Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner, Steve Smith, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa

Pakistan: Babar Azam (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan