Rauf takes four as Pakistan hold Australia to 147-9 in 2nd T20

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Haris Rauf took 4-22 as Pakistan restricted Australia to 147-9 in the second match of their T20 series at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

After a roaring start by the hosts, Pakistan bowled beautifully to contain them, with Abbas Afridi (3-17) also impressive.

But they were let down by sloppy fielding with a host of dropped catches.

Matthew Short top scored with 32.

Opting to bat first in front of a large crowd, Australia scored 21 runs in the opener off Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Jake Fraser-McGurk blasted 18 of them but got lucky after being dropped by Naseem Shah on the fourth ball he faced.

Shah’s first delivery was then hit for six by Short as they carried the aggressive approach into the next over.

The duo stitched together a highly entertaining 52-run opening stand off just 22 balls before Rauf struck twice in three deliveries.

After tempting Fraser-McGurk (20) for another strike which was collected in the deep by Salman Agha, he coaxed an edge from Josh Inglis (0) which was taken at point by Sufiyan Muqeem.

Pakistan had their tail up and Short soon followed for 32, bowled by Abbas Afridi, with three wickets falling for just four runs.

Marcus Stoinis survived two dropped catches but eventually fell on 14, running to Muqeem, who was brought aside for Haseebullah Khan.

Muqeem’s wrist spin then accounted for dangerman Glenn Maxwell (21) as the runs dried up.

Big-hitter Tim David was removed by Rauf for 18 and he got his fourth by bowling Xavier Bartlett (5). Aaron Hardie made a handy 28 before Abbas Afridi removed him and Spencer Johnson in successive balls in the last over.

The hosts lead the series 1-0 after winning a rain-hit match reduced to seven overs a side in Brisbane on Thursday by 29 runs.