SYDNEY: Australia looked on course to chase down a small target in their first T20 International against Pakistan before the game was called off due to rain on Sunday.
Pakistan were 88 for three wickets in the 13th over when rain interrupted play.
The match was subsequently reduced to 15-overs-a-side when the players returned and skipper Babar Azam made 59 not out to help Pakistan to a below-par 107-5.
Chasing a revised 119 in 15 overs, Aaron Finch gave Australia a flying start with 37 runs from 16 balls as the hosts cruised to 41 for no loss in 3.1 overs.
Finch laid into Mohammad Irfan’s second over which cost 26 runs – including two sixes and a no-ball that went for four – and put them well ahead in the chase.
It was at that moment that rain returned to the Sydney Cricket Ground to dash Australia’s hopes of going 1-0 up in the three-match series.
“It’s frustrating,” Finch said afterwards.
“To restrict them to 107 off 15 overs was a great effort and then to be on track to get them was nice.”
“It was nice to get a few out of the middle. Like I said, a bit unfortunate the rain played such a part.”
Canberra hosts the second match on Tuesday where Babar will need greater support from his team-mates.
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