Lightning Delays Start of T20I Series as Pakistan’s Rauf Dominates Australia's Maxwell

The first T20I between Australia and Pakistan is delayed due to lightning at The Gabba. Pakistan recently clinched a historic ODI victory in Australia with Haris Rauf dismissing Glenn Maxwell thrice. The T20 series continues in Sydney and Hobart, with Rauf emerging as a key player against Maxwell.

The opening T20I match between Australia and Pakistan at The Gabba faced a setback with a delay caused by lightning strikes, pushing the pivotal toss back. Scheduled as the first encounter in a three-match series, time constraints create tension, especially with the five-over game cut-off looming at 8.29 pm local time.

Fresh from their extraordinary ODI triumph, Pakistan gears up for the next chapter against Australia. In an unprecedented turn, they converted a first-game deficit into a victorious 2-1 series. This success was marked by Haris Rauf's sensational bowling performance, outmatching Australian star Glenn Maxwell in all three matches.

Rauf's fervent spell dictated the pace, having overcome Maxwell twice prior to the concluding Perth ODI. The climax at Perth saw Rauf deliver a precision ball, eliciting yet another Maxwell misstep—a thick edge to Saim Ayub, and a third dismissal in the series. Rauf's modest evaluation post-game underscored his feeling of fortune in dismissing formidable adversary Maxwell multiple times.

(With inputs from agencies.)