ICC T20 World Cup 2016: Australia vs Pakistan - 5 Talking Points

#2 – Captain Smith stamps his authority

Steve Smith delivered when his team needed him the most

Before the tournament, the Australian selectors had appointed Steve Smith as the skipper of the national team across all formats to ensure continuity in the camp. Smith was in tremendous form in both Tests and ODIs and would have wanted to make a mark in T20Is as well.

And, he did exactly that by negotiating a tricky situation with a calm head to guide his team in the middle-overs. Smith ran hard between the wickets and targeted the gaps at will which placed the Pakistani fielders under immense pressure.

He forged a useful partnership with Glenn Maxwell by feeding him the strike. When Maxwell fell, the skipper took further responsibilty to find the boundaries as Watson began to settle in.

In the end, Smith’s half-century turned out to be extremely crucial as Australia found another gear during the end overs.