Cricket is more than just a game in countries like Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard—it’s a passion that unites millions. When the Australian Men’s Cricket Team takes on the Pakistan National Cricket Team, fans know they’re in for a treat. These two teams have a rich history of intense battles, filled with breathtaking moments, stunning performances, and nail-biting finishes.
In this article, we’ll dive into one of their recent clashes, breaking down the match scorecard in a way that’s easy to understand for fans of all ages. Whether you’re a cricket newbie or a seasoned follower, you’ll find this recap engaging and informative. Let’s get started!
A Brief Rivalry Overview
Before we jump into the scorecard, let’s set the stage. Australia and Pakistan have been cricketing rivals for decades, with their first Test match dating back to 1956. Both teams are known for their competitive spirit and have produced some of the game’s greatest players, like Australia’s Don Bradman and Steve Waugh, and Pakistan’s Imran Khan and Wasim Akram. Their encounters are often unpredictable, with Pakistan’s fiery pace bowlers challenging Australia’s solid batting line-up, while Australia’s disciplined attack tests Pakistan’s flair-filled batsmen.
For this article, we’ll focus on a recent T20 International (T20I) match from the Pakistan tour of Australia in November 2024, specifically the 1st T20I played at The Gabba, Brisbane. This match was a rain-affected thriller, reduced to seven overs per side, but it packed plenty of action. Let’s break it down step by step, starting with the match overview and then diving into the full scorecard.
Match Overview: Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, 1st T20I, November 14, 2024
The first T20I of the series took place at The Gabba, a venue known for its fast and bouncy pitch, which often favors pace bowlers. Rain played a big role, delaying the start and reducing the game to just seven overs per side. Australia won the toss and chose to bat first, setting a challenging target in the shortened format. Pakistan’s chase was derailed early, leading to a 29-run victory for Australia, giving them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
This match was a perfect example of T20 cricket’s unpredictability, with big hits, quick wickets, and standout performances. Now, let’s look at the detailed scorecard, including batting, bowling, and key moments, presented in easy-to-read tables.
Australia Innings: Batting Scorecard
Australia’s batting line-up was tasked with setting a competitive total in just seven overs. Openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short started aggressively, but it was Glenn Maxwell’s explosive knock that stole the show. Here’s the full batting scorecard:
|
Batsman |
Dismissal |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jake Fraser-McGurk |
c Rizwan b Shaheen Afridi |
16 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 228.57 |
|
Matthew Short |
c Babar Azam b Naseem Shah |
14 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 233.33 |
|
Josh Inglis (c & wk) |
Not Out |
8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 114.29 |
|
Glenn Maxwell |
c Usman Khan b Abbas Afridi |
43 | 19 | 5 | 2 | 226.32 |
|
Tim David |
c Babar Azam b Abbas Afridi |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
|
Marcus Stoinis |
Not Out |
8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 400.00 |
|
Extras |
(lb 1, w 1) |
2 | ||||
|
Total |
(4 wickets, 7 overs) |
93 | 10 | 4 |
-
Did Not Bat: Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
-
Fall of Wickets: 16-1 (Fraser-McGurk, 1.1), 35-2 (Short, 2.4), 66-3 (Maxwell, 5.3), 73-4 (Tim David, 5.6)
-
Powerplay: 61/2 (4 overs)
Key Batting Highlights
-
Glenn Maxwell’s Blitz: Maxwell was the star, smashing 43 runs off just 19 balls, including five fours and two sixes. His aggressive approach, with a strike rate of 226.32, set the tone for Australia’s total. He reached a milestone during this knock, becoming the third Australian to cross 10,000 runs in T20 cricket, joining David Warner and Aaron Finch.
-
Quick Start: Fraser-McGurk and Short got Australia off to a flyer, scoring 16 and 14 respectively at blistering strike rates. Their early aggression ensured Australia didn’t lose momentum despite the rain delay.
-
Stoinis’ Finish: Marcus Stoinis smashed a four and a six in the final over off Naseem Shah, helping Australia reach 93/4, a daunting target in a seven-over game.
Pakistan Bowling: Analysis
Pakistan’s bowlers had a tough task, needing to contain Australia’s power-hitters in a short game. Abbas Afridi was the pick of the bowlers, while Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah chipped in with key wickets. Here’s the bowling scorecard:
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shaheen Afridi |
2 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 9.00 |
|
Naseem Shah |
2 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 12.50 |
|
Haris Rauf |
1 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 21.00 |
|
Abbas Afridi |
2 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 14.00 |
Bowling Highlights
-
Abbas Afridi’s Double Strike: Abbas removed Maxwell and Tim David in quick succession, finishing with 2/28. His wickets in the death overs prevented Australia from crossing 100.
-
Shaheen’s Early Breakthrough: Shaheen Afridi dismissed Fraser-McGurk in the second over, giving Pakistan a chance to control the powerplay.
-
Haris Rauf’s Expensive Over: Haris Rauf struggled, conceding 21 runs in his only over, including two fours and a six by Maxwell. His high economy rate of 21.00 hurt Pakistan’s chances.
Pakistan Innings: Batting Scorecard
Chasing 94 runs in seven overs, Pakistan needed a blazing start, but Australia’s bowlers had other plans. Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis tore through Pakistan’s top order, leaving them reeling at 24/6. Here’s the batting scorecard:
|
Batsman |
Dismissal |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sahibzada Farhan |
c Inglis b Bartlett |
8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 200.00 |
|
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk) |
c Short b Ellis |
0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Usman Khan |
c Maxwell b Bartlett |
3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
|
Babar Azam |
c Inglis b Ellis |
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 |
|
Irfan Khan |
c Hardie b Ellis |
0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Agha Salman |
c Stoinis b Johnson |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
|
Haseebullah Khan |
c Zampa b Bartlett |
14 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 175.00 |
|
Abbas Afridi |
Not Out |
22 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 220.00 |
|
Shaheen Afridi |
Run Out (Inglis) |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Naseem Shah |
Run Out (Stoinis/Inglis) |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Extras |
(lb 2, w 7) |
9 | ||||
|
Total |
(9 wickets, 7 overs) |
64 | 6 | 2 |
-
Did Not Bat: Haris Rauf
-
Fall of Wickets: 8-1 (Farhan, 0.4), 12-2 (Rizwan, 1.1), 16-3 (Usman Khan, 1.6), 16-4 (Babar Azam, 2.1), 16-5 (Irfan Khan, 2.3), 24-6 (Agha Salman, 3.2), 47-7 (Haseebullah, 5.2), 64-8 (Shaheen Afridi, 6.5), 64-9 (Naseem Shah, 6.6)
-
Powerplay: 29/6 (4 overs)
Key Batting Highlights
-
Top Order Collapse: Pakistan’s top six batsmen scored just 8, 0, 3, 4, 0, and 4, crumbling to 24/6 in 3.2 overs. The early dismissals of Rizwan, Babar, and Usman Khan put Pakistan on the back foot.
-
Abbas Afridi’s Fight: Abbas Afridi’s unbeaten 22 off 10 balls, with two fours and a six, gave Pakistan some respectability, but the target was too steep.
-
Haseebullah’s Brief Resistance: Haseebullah Khan hit a four and a six in his 14 off 8, but his dismissal ended any faint hopes of a miracle.
Australia Bowling: Analysis
Australia’s bowlers were relentless, with Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis leading the charge. Their disciplined bowling and sharp fielding ensured Pakistan never got going. Here’s the bowling scorecard:
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Xavier Bartlett |
2 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 7.50 |
|
Nathan Ellis |
2 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 6.00 |
|
Spencer Johnson |
1 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 12.00 |
|
Aaron Hardie |
1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 17.00 |
|
Adam Zampa |
1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6.00 |
Bowling Highlights
-
Bartlett and Ellis Shine: Bartlett (3/15) and Ellis (3/12) were the destroyers-in-chief, taking three wickets each. Bartlett removed Farhan and Usman Khan, while Ellis dismissed Rizwan, Babar, and Irfan Khan, reducing Pakistan to 16/5.
-
Tight Powerplay: Australia’s bowlers gave away just 29 runs in the powerplay while taking six wickets, effectively sealing the game early.
-
Fielding Brilliance: Two run-outs in the final over, both involving Josh Inglis, capped a dominant performance by Australia.
Key Moments of Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
-
Rain Delay and Reduced Overs: The match was delayed due to heavy rain and lightning, with dark clouds hovering over The Gabba. The umpires reduced the game to seven overs per side, making it a sprint from the start.
-
Maxwell’s Milestone and Mayhem: Glenn Maxwell’s 43 off 19, including a flurry of fours and sixes, was the game’s defining performance. His milestone of 10,000 T20 runs added extra significance to his knock.
-
Pakistan’s Top Order Disaster: Losing five wickets for 16 runs in 2.3 overs was a nightmare for Pakistan. Bartlett and Ellis exploited the pressure, with sharp catching from Inglis and Maxwell.
-
Abbas Afridi’s Late Cameo: Despite the collapse, Abbas Afridi’s aggressive 22 off 10 showed Pakistan’s fighting spirit, though it wasn’t enough to challenge Australia’s total.
-
Australia’s Fielding Edge: Two run-outs in the last over highlighted Australia’s superior fielding, with Inglis’ quick work behind the stumps proving decisive.
Player of the Match: Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell was named Player of the Match for his explosive 43 off 19 balls. His ability to dominate Pakistan’s pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf in a high-pressure, shortened game was remarkable. Maxwell’s knock, combined with his sharp fielding, made him the standout performer.
What Made This Match Special?
This T20I was a classic example of how unpredictable cricket can be, especially in a shortened format. The rain added drama, forcing both teams to adapt quickly. Australia’s aggressive batting, led by Maxwell, set a tough target, while their bowlers capitalized on Pakistan’s early mistakes. For younger fans, this match showed how every ball counts in T20 cricket, and for seasoned viewers, it was a reminder of the fine margins that decide these contests.
Historical Context: Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard in T20Is
As of January 2025, Australia and Pakistan have faced off in 26 T20Is, with Australia leading the head-to-head 14-11, with one match ending in a tie. Australia’s victory in this match further strengthened their record. Pakistan’s pace attack has often troubled Australia, but in this game, Australia’s depth and adaptability shone through.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
For Australia, this win boosted their confidence as they aim to maintain their No. 2 ranking in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings. With players like Maxwell and emerging talents like Bartlett, they’re building a strong squad for future tournaments. Pakistan, despite the loss, showed flashes of brilliance through Abbas Afridi and will look to bounce back in the remaining matches of the series. Their pace attack, led by Shaheen and Naseem, remains a potent threat.
Conclusion
The Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard at The Gabba was a thrilling, rain-affected T20I that showcased the best of short-format cricket. Australia’s 29-run victory was built on Maxwell’s fireworks, a devastating bowling performance, and sharp fielding. Pakistan fought hard but couldn’t recover from their early collapse. The scorecards above tell the story of a game where every run and wicket mattered.
For fans of all ages, this match was a reminder of why we love cricket—its unpredictability, its heroes, and its ability to keep us glued to our seats. Whether you’re cheering for Australia’s precision or Pakistan’s passion, these encounters never disappoint. Stay tuned for more exciting clashes between these two cricketing giants!
