Pakistan Take Series After Super Over
Pakistan have won a drama-packed game in Dubai to seal victory in the Twenty20 series against Australia in dramatic fashion in the Super Over after the match had ended in a Tie. Pakistan have clinched the 3 match series 2-0.
Umar Akmal and Abdul Razzaq hit a boundary each in Pakistan's over to get their side over the line.
The win ensures Pakistan will win the three-match series with one more game left at the DSC Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
Having won the toss, Pakistan went into bat full of confidence after their convincing win in game one.
However, Mitchell Starc got Australia off to the perfect start with a wicket in the second over, removing Imran Nazir for a duck.
From there, though, the innings was controlled by Pakistan.
Opener Mohammad Hafeez was joined by Nasir Jamshed at the crease and the pair put on a 76-run stand that was brought to an end by an astounding catch by Dan Christian.
Jamshed scooped one off Pat Cummins over mid-off and appeared to be safe before Christian sprinted back and dived full-length to pull off an amazing one-handed catch.
Kamran Akmal then came to the crease and after the departure of Hafeez put on a free-hitting 46-run stand with brother Umar to help Pakistan on their way to 4-151at the end of their 20 overs.
Kamran ended the innings unbeaten on 43 from 26 balls with Jamshed and Hafeez both posting 45.
Starc (1-17) was the best of the bowlers in what was a disappointing display with the ball by the Australians.
Dave Warner and Shane Watson opened the batting and put on 40 for the first wicket before Warner was bowled by Saeed Ajmal for 31 with the score at 1-40.
Watson and Hussey kept the run rate ticking over before Watson was removed by Ajmal for 33 in the 11th over.
The Aussies looked to be in trouble before birthday boy George Bailey saved Australia's innings with an inspired 42 from 46 deliveries to give his side a chance at victory as the match moved into its final overs.
With two balls to go, Australia needed an unlikely seven runs.
Up stepped Cummins who hit a six off the second last delivery to leave Australia needing just one run to win from the final ball.
But the young bowler could only sky the last ball to be caught by Nazir from the bowling of Razzaq to send the game into a super over with both teams tied on 151 runs apiece.
Dave Warner and Shane Watson were sent in by captain Bailey to face Umar Gul in the first super over.
The pair could only manage 11 runs with Warner falling for five on the second-last ball.
Hafeez placed his faith in Umar Akmal and Abdul Razzaq to get the Pakistanis over the line, with Cummins somewhat surprisingly given the ball by Bailey.
Cummins' lack of experience was evident with a horrible wide on the second-last delivery of the match leaving Pakistan needing just one to win from the final ball.
With the field up, Akmal was able to sneak a single in the covers to claim one of the most memorable victories in T20 history for Pakistan.
Australia now need to win the final match in the series to ensure that they do not fall below Ireland in the T20 world rankings.
Brief scores
Pakistan 151 for 4 (Hafeez 45, Jamshed 45)
Australia 151 for 8 (Bailey 42, Ajmal 2-20)
Result Match tied (Pakistan won the one-over eliminator)
MOM Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan).
