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07-Jul-2010 02:13:00 GMT
Pakistan v Australia, 2nd Twenty20, Edgbaston

Aamer Leads Pakistan to 2-0 Win Over Aussies

Birmingham: Teenage quick Mohammad Aamer took three wickets as Pakistan beat Australia by 11 runs in the second Twenty20 international at Edgbaston on Tuesday to complete a 2-0 series win.

Australia, chasing 163 to win, were dismissed for 151 with 18-year-old left-armer Aamer taking three wickets for 27 runs in his maximum four overs exactly the same impressive figures he finished with during Pakistan's 23-run win on Monday.

The man-of-the-match struck early to remove openers David Warner and Michael Clarke before having Mitchell Johnson lbw late on to the delight of another overwhelmingly pro-Pakistan crowd.

With just one wicket standing, a target of 19 off the last over proved beyond Australia and Shaun Tait was run out with two balls left.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and fellow spinner Saeed Ajmal kept the pressure on with three middle-order wickets.

Australia's bowlers had done a good job in holding Pakistan to 162/9 with left-arm quick Dirk Nannes striking twice in two balls to remove dangermen Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi.

Nannes finished with 3/30 while left-arm spinner Stephen O'Keefe, on his international debut, took three for 29 including two tailend wickets.

"I was very happy with the way the boys performed in the field to restrict Pakistan to that kind of score," said Australia captain Clarke. "But we couldn't build a partnership."

Pakistan had lost 12 straight games against Australia in all formats before this series but have now won two in as many days.

Now Pakistan, who since the March 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore have been forced to play all their matches away from home, can look forward to a two-Test series against Australia in England starting later this month with renewed confidence.

"It's still early days," said Pakistan coach Waqar Younis. "But winning two in a row was good for the guys.

The fast bowling great added: "It's been a while since we had such a crowd backing us, nearly two years. We always get big support here in England and it always helps."

As was the case in their dramatic Twenty20 semifinal win over Pakistan in St Lucia in May, Australia's hopes, with 35 needed off the last three overs, rested with Michael Hussey.

But the left-hander, whose dashing 60 not out turned that match on its head, was lbw to paceman Umar Gul for 25, featuring four fours, when he missed an ambitious reverse sweep.

No Pakistan batsman made more than Kamran Akmal's 33 although Aamer hit two sixes late on as he finished on 21 not out.

But no Australia batsman made more than David Hussey's 33.

Australia saw captain Clarke promote himself to opener in place of Shane Watson who, along with leg-spinner Steven Smith, was rested.

Clarke, who averaged just over 15 in Australia's run to the World Twenty20 final where they lost to England, was in superb touch while making 30 as his side slumped to 33/3.

Warner was lbw for one to Aamer, although replays suggested the ball was narrowly missing leg-stump.

Shoaib Akhtar then had Tim Paine skying to Umar Gul at mid-off for nought.

In between those dismissals, Clarke played some superb strokes including a cover-driven four off Aamer.

But having struck six boundaries in only 17 balls he played on to Aamer.

James Hopes and David Hussey staunched the flow of wickets.

However, a fifty stand was ended when Hopes, on 30, was smartly stumped by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal off leg-spinner Afridi.

Australia were now 83/4 in the 12th over and in need of boundaries.

Brief score
Pakistan
162 for 9 (Kamran Akmal 33, O'Keefe 3-29, Nannes 3-30)
Australia 151 (D Hussey 33, Mohammad Aamer 3-27)
Result Pakistan won by 11 runs
MOM Mohammad Aamer (Pakistan)


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