Pakistan’s innings was built on the back of a formidable 207-6, anchored by a blistering 56 from opener Saim Ayub and a composed, unbeaten 50 from Babar Azam. The total proved insurmountable for the visitors, who crumbled under the pressure of a relentless bowling attack led by Mohammad Nawaz. Nawaz’s career-best figures of 5 for 18 dismantled the Australian middle order, as the tourists collapsed to a meager 96 all out.
The Controversy: A Breach of Law 29
The match reached a flashpoint when wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay effected a stumping that appeared legitimate to the naked eye but failed the test of slow-motion scrutiny. Replays later confirmed that Nafay held the ball in his right glove while dislodging the bails with his empty left hand. Under the Laws of Cricket, the bails must be removed by the hand or arm holding the ball.
Despite the clear breach, on-field umpire Nasir Hussain and TV umpire Tariq Rasheed upheld the out decision without a formal review process, much to the bewilderment of spectators. The error was first brought to light by prominent statistician and journalist Mazher Arshad, whose social media posts triggered a wave of "Hand of God" memes, drawing parallels to Diego Maradona’s infamous football goal.
Bowling Dominance and Series Impact
While the officiating error provided a talking point, it did little to alter the inevitable trajectory of the match. Shaheen Afridi provided the early breakthroughs, setting the stage for Nawaz to rip through the lineup. Australia’s inability to negotiate the spin and pace variations meant the 111-run margin was a fair reflection of the gap between the two sides throughout the evening.
This 3-0 sweep marks a significant milestone for Pakistan’s T20 squad, demonstrating their depth in both the power-hitting and spin-bowling departments. For Australia, the tour concludes with pressing questions regarding their adaptability on subcontinent tracks and the consistency of DRS-adjacent officiating in bilateral series.
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