Pakistan’s premier speedster Haris Rauf achieved a remarkable milestone in the second T20 International of the ongoing three-match series against Australia. Rauf delivered a sensational spell, securing a four-wicket haul that not only rattled the Australian batting lineup but also saw him break Shaheen Afridi’s illustrious T20I record at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Rauf’s Spell Derails Australia’s Strong Start
After Australian captain Josh Inglis won the toss and opted to bat first, the hosts got off to a blazing start. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short stitched together a rapid 52-run partnership in the first 3.4 overs. However, Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan made a tactical masterstroke by introducing Haris Rauf early into the attack.
The fiery pacer struck immediately, dismissing Fraser-McGurk at a crucial juncture to halt Australia’s momentum. Rauf didn’t stop there—he went on to claim the prized scalps of Josh Inglis, Tim David, and Xavier Bartlett, finishing with a stellar 4/22. His clinical bowling spell brought Pakistan back into the game, as he wreaked havoc on Australia’s batting order.
Historic Feat: Rauf Breaks Shaheen Afridi’s Record at the SCG
Notably, Haris Rauf’s four-wicket haul is the first-ever by a Pakistani bowler at the SCG in T20Is. With this feat, Rauf surpassed Shaheen Afridi’s record to claim the best bowling figures for Pakistan at this iconic venue. Here’s how Rauf stacks up against other top performances:
| Bowler | Best Bowling Figures |
|---|---|
| Haris Rauf | 4/22 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 3/14 |
| Abbas Afridi | 3/17 |
| Shadab Khan | 2/16 |
| Sufiyan Muqeem | 2/21 |
Rauf now leads this elite list, with Shaheen Afridi and Abbas Afridi following closely. Spin bowlers Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem round out the top five with their impactful spells.
Combined Efforts of Rauf and Abbas Afridi Restrict Australia to Below 150
Apart from Rauf’s heroics, young pacer Abbas Afridi played a crucial supporting role, taking 3 wickets for just 17 runs. The duo’s exceptional bowling efforts restricted Australia to a modest total of 147 in their allotted 20 overs at the SCG.
Thanks to the stellar performance by Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi, Pakistan now has a golden opportunity to clinch the series in the final T20I. This match will be remembered as one of Haris Rauf’s finest performances, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure and solidifying his reputation as one of the premier fast bowlers in the T20 format.