Australia all-rounder Cameron Green was left fuming at the bowling style of Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq as the tourists suffered a 90-run defeat in a pre-World Cup T20 international in Lahore.
Hours after their squad for the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka was announced, Mitch Marsh’s side, featuring nine of the Cup squad and looking badly in need of their absent big guns, simply couldn’t cope with the hosts’ five-pronged spin attack.
Sitting alongside Australia’s second poor outing in as many matches in Pakistan was Green’s reaction to the unconventional bowling style of Tariq.
After being dismissed during Australia’s failed run chase, Green unflatteringly mimicked Tariq’s side-arm, slinging delivery method.
The unique nature of Tariq’s bowling may attract the interest of the ICC, leading into the T20 World Cup, which starts on Feburary 7.
Losing the three-match series after just the second game was hardly the way Marsh would have wanted them to warm up for the tournament, which starts for the Aussies against Ireland in Colombo in 11 days.
Australian batsman Cameron Green mocked the bowling action of Pakistan’s Usman Tariq
The Aussie suggested Tariq was chucking with his sidearm style of bowling in their T20 international
Green was unable to fire as the Aussies lost to Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup in 2027
‘Pakistan outplayed us. Hopefully, we can improve and come back tomorrow,’ conceded the skipper, suggesting things will be different once the rest of his cavalry arrives.
‘We have got experienced guys who know that partnerships are really important in run-chases. We were not able to do that today. So some really good lessons,’ he said.
Australia were bowled out for just 108, with all 10 wickets falling to spin, as they chased Pakistan’s formidable 5-198.
Xavier Bartlett, who was hit for 52 runs with the ball, is keen for a quick response. ‘You’ve got to give credit where credit’s due. Pakistan played unbelievable, with both bat and ball, but we’re better for the run, and hopefully we can at least make the series 2-1 tomorrow.’
After Salman Agha had won the toss and opted to lead from the front for the hosts, hammering 76 off 40 balls with four thumping sixes, wicketkeeper Usman Khan kept up the pressure with a 35-ball half-century.
Bartlett (1-52) went at 13 an over, and Matt Kuhnemann’s spin (1-40) was deposited for 10 an over, with experienced legspinner Adam Zampa once again the pick of the Australian attack with his 1-27, while Cooper Connolly (1-30) also did well.
Zampa snared Babar Azam lbw for just two to continue the concerns in Pakistan about their batting hero’s lean run.
Chasing 199 always looked a tough task, and once Abrar Ahmed, the spinner nicknamed Harry Potter for his wizardry, trapped Marsh lbw in the third over before Saim Ayub (1-32) bowled Travis Head the very next ball with one that kept low, it soon felt hopeless.
Abrar (3-14) then got Josh Inglis (five) with a devilish wrong ‘un the next over, with only Cam Green’s sixth-over assault on Ayub, with two sixes and a four, giving a flicker of hope before Matt Renshaw was trapped lbw by Mohammad Nawaz for just two and Cooper Connolly was skittled by Shadab Khan (3-26) for one.
Once Green (35 off 20) was dismissed by Tariq (2-16), only Matt Short, fresh from the disappointment of being left out of the World Cup squad, was able to mount any kind of last stand with his 27 off 23 balls.
