Pakistan routs Australia by 90 runs to clinch T20 series

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan achieved its biggest win by runs against Australia in a Twenty20 with a margin of 90 and sealed the series with a game to spare on Saturday.

Australia fielded a stronger side after losing the opener of the three-match series by 19 runs but was bowled out for 108 in 15.4 overs in reply to Pakistan's 198-5.

Leg-spinners Abrar Ahmed (3-14) and Shadab Khan (3-26) shot out the Australians on another slow Gaddafi Stadium pitch.

Captain Salman Ali Agha's 76 off 40 balls and Usman Khan's 53 off 36 balls propped up Pakistan's tall total.

“I can easily say it was a perfect game for us and we want to replicate it tomorrow (in the last T20),” Agha said. ”I promoted myself at No. 3 because I know I can play spin well and intend to do the same in Sri Lanka (at the T20 World Cup)."

Pakistan will be based in Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by India and starts next weekend.

Australian batters failed to read the googlies and leg-breaks of Abrar and Shadab.

Travis Head (4) was clean-bowled for the second straight game by Saim Ayub's off-spin delivery that kept low. Fellow opener and captain Mitchell Marsh, who skipped the first T20, smashed two sixes and 18 runs but was trapped plumb lbw by Abrar in the third over.

Cameron Green high-scored for Australia with 35 and Matthew Short added 27.

Matt Renshaw, who was added to the World Cup squad on Saturday in place of Short, holed out to long off on 2 to left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz's fuller delivery.

“They put us under great pressure in the powerplay,” Marsh said. “It was probably a 160-170 wicket.”

Earlier, Agha was aggressive in his recent transformation at No. 3 as Pakistan sped to 72-2 inside the powerplay. Agha reached his half-century in just 25 balls while dominating the spin through strong sweeps and lofting the fast bowlers inside out over extra cover. Agha hit four sixes and eight boundaries

Babar Azam continued to struggle at his new No. 4 batting position and was pinned lbw by Adam Zampa on 2.

Usman picked up after Agha left with a brisk half-century before he fell in the final over after holing out at deep midwicket.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australia's Cooper Connolly, center, rects as he is bowled out by Pakistan's Shadab Khan during the second T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed bowls during the second T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Fans cheer during the second T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed, second right, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Australia's Mitchell Marsh, left, during the second T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Usman Khan plays a shot during the second T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha bats during the second T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers has been suspended 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA's anti-drug program, the league announced Saturday.

The NBA did not disclose the nature of the violation or the substance that was involved. The 25-game suspension, by terms of the agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, indicates that this was a first violation by George.

The suspension will cost George — a nine-time All-Star — roughly $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary, or about $469,691.72 for each of the 25 games missed.

George is expected to be eligible to return on March 25, when Philadelphia plays host to Chicago. The 76ers will have 10 games remaining in the regular season at that point.

Philadelphia entered Saturday at 26-21, sixth in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers are 16-11 when George plays, 10-10 when he does not.

George has averaged 16 points in 27 games this season for the Sixers, that scoring average third-most on the team behind Tyrese Maxey (29.4) and Joel Embiid (25.7). He had one of his best games of the season earlier this week, a 32-point outburst fueled by nine 3-pointers in a win over Milwaukee on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old George signed a $212 million, four-year contract in free agency ahead of the 2024 season. But his first year in Philly was marred by knee and adductor injuries that resulted in the forward having one of the worst years of his NBA career.

George averaged 16.2 points in just 41 games, easily his lowest scoring average in a full season since he averaged 12.1 points for Indiana in his second NBA season.

Last season was so miserable that George called his first year in Philly “rock bottom” over the course of his career.

It's certainly not any better now.

George had surgery in July on his left knee after he was injured during a workout and missed the first 12 games of this season.

George and two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid had been healthy enough this season to keep the Sixers in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Maxey blossomed into an All-Star starter and a strong rookie season from No. 3 overall draft pick VJ Edgecombe had the Sixers hopeful they could make some noise in the playoffs.

With the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaching, George's suspension could have a profound impact on what the Sixers do as they make a playoff push.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George, right, tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks' Kyle Kuzma during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George, left, tries to get past Sacramento Kings' Precious Achiuwa during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)