The "Big Show" Glenn Maxwell turned it on but it wasn't enough to help the Australians to chase down Pakistan's huge total. Picture: Getty Images Source: Scott Barbour / Getty Images
VICTORIAN Glenn Maxwell produced a big bang to match his big bucks but it wasn't enough for sloppy Australia to beat Pakistan in their opening World T20 clash.
The Aussies now face a trio of must-win matches to qualify for the semi-finals as they fell short of Pakistan's 5-191 despite Maxwell's breathtaking 74 off 33 balls.
Australia was exhilarating with the bat but woeful in the field, with three dropped catches and ordinary ground-fielding allowing Pakistan to set a big total.
They looked no chance when they lost Dave Warner and Shane Watson in the first over of the chase to spinner Zulfiqar Babar, with more tricky Pakistan spinners yet to be produced.
Enter Maxwell, nicknamed "The Big Show'' by his teammates.
He whacked his fifty in an Australian record-equalling 18 balls and no bowler, not even the in-form mystery spinner Saaed Ajmal, could contain him.
There was a bit of everything in Maxwell's innings, even forced to duck a nasty beamer from paceman Bilawal Bhatti, which would have taken the batsman's head off had he not taken evasive action.
Glenn Maxwell smashes another boundary during his breathtaking 74 off 33 balls. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
Maxwell got his own back, helping to smash Bhatti for 30 off the over.
Australia looked on track even when Maxwell was caught in the deep off Afridi but a brace of late wickets got Pakistan home.
Aaron Finch (65 off 54 balls) was terrific but Pakistan roared when he was bowled by Ajmal and the Aussies were bowled out for 175 in a 16-run loss.
Australia only had itself to blame for the loss, as it was butter-fingered in the field and blasted off the park by two controversial brothers.
The Australian fieldsmen could not have caught a cold as they dropped three catches including two simple ones from each of the Akmal brothers.
Australian opener Aaron Finch didn't miss out, thumping 65 off 54 balls. Picture: AFP Source: AFP
Older brother Kamran Akmal (31) departed to end a 96-run sibling partnership, but Umar Akmal (94 off 54 balls) went ballistic and belted the Australian bowlers to the fence and over it with regularity.
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Veteran Brad Hogg wasn't a happy camper after putting down Umar in the outfield when he had made just 22, while comeback quick Doug Bollinger also spilt a dolly at short fine-leg off Kamran Akmal.
To rub salt into Australian wounds, Umar wasn't even meant to play this match after straining his hamstring in Pakistan's opening game.
The Akmal brothers got revenge last night after both were figures of major controversy in Australia in the summer of 2009-10.
Pakistan cricketer Zulfiqar Babar (centre) celebrates with his teammate Umar Akmal (left) as Shane Watson departs for just four runs. Picture: AFP Source: AFP
Kamran was investigated for match-fixing after dropping four catches behind the stumps in the SCG Test, while Umar threatened to withdraw from the Hobart Test in protest at his brother's sacking.
Nathan Coulter-Nile (2-36) was the best of the Australian bowlers last night and Bollinger (1-28), playing his first match for Australia since 2011, was also good with plenty of pace and an early caught-and-bowled wicket.
Spinner Hogg (0-29 off three overs) was not effective and the Aussies may now look to young leggie James Muirhead for their next match.
With the rapid-fire nature of the tournament, Australia will probably have to beat all of the West Indies, India and Bangladesh to qualify for the finals.
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