Pakistan took an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia on Friday night but only after George Bailey’s side tied the scores then lost the game with the last ball of Pakistan’s Super Over in extra time.
Australia made 8-151 in reply to Pakistan’s 4-151 then Australia batted first in the one-over eliminator, setting Pakistan a target of 12 to win.
Pakistan were 0-10 with one ball remaining from teenager Pat Cummins, who lost his nerve and bowled a wide that tied the scores.
A quick single from the final delivery and a missed run-out opportunity handed victory to Pakistan as a capacity crowd of around 25,000 celebrated with gusto.
Chasing Pakistan’s 4-151, Australia looked gone before No.9 batsman Cummins hit a six from the second-last ball of the 20th over to tie the scores.
However the youngster was caught from the final delivery as Abdul Razzaz claimed 2-9 after being called upon by skipper Mohammad Hafeez to bowl the final over.
Bailey top-scored with 42, losing his wicket at the start of the final over.
Openers David Warner (31) and Shane Watson (33) had given Australia a solid platform. Both fell to star spinner Saeed Ajmal.
Mike Hussey made 23 but David Hussey, Cameron White and Matthew Wade all failed to reach double figures.
Earlier, Hafeez led the way for Pakistan with a hard-hitting 45 at the top of the order.
Nasir Jamshed also smashed 45 and Kamran Akmal was unbeaten on 43 from 26 deliveries.
Dan Christian claimed one of the greatest catches in T20 history to dismiss Jamshed off the bowling of Cummins.
Christian ran back with the flight of the ball at mid-off and lunged full-length to complete a miraculous catch in the fingertips of his left hand.
Spinner Brad Hogg made a nightmarish return to the lineup and finished with 0-38. Cummins (1-37) was also expensive while debutant Mitchell Starc returned the tidy figures of 1-17.
The final game of the series is on Monday night in Dubai.