Four-wicket Ellis keeps Pakistan down to 162-8 despite Azam's 66
Four-wicket Ellis keeps Pakistan down to 162-8 despite Azam's 66
Pacer Nathan Ellis took four wickets to help Australia hold Pakistan to 162-8 in a Twenty20 international despite an attractive half century by Babar Azam in Lahore on Tuesday.
In the only T20i of the tour, Ellis returned figures of 4-28 and debutant Cameron Green 2-16 as Pakistan failed to reach a big score despite Azam's brisk 46-ball 66 with six fours and two sixes.
Azam, who hit back to back hundreds in Pakistan's 2-1 win in the one-day international series, put on 67 for the opening wicket with Mohammad Rizwan (23) after Australia sent the home team in to bat at Gaddafi Stadium.
But Green dismissed Rizwan with the fourth ball of his first over and Fakhar Zaman off a full toss next ball to pull things for Australia.
Azam drove Green for a boundary to bring up his 26th T20I fifty off just 33 balls. He smashed spinner Adam Zampa for a six but next ball holed out at deep cover.
Khushdil Shah chipped in with 21-ball 24 but Pakistan managed 50 runs in the last five overs, losing five wickets.
Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Dwarshuis and Green were handed Twenty20 international debuts by Australia.
(A.Monet--LPdF)
