Glenn Maxwell silences critics as Aussies bounce back after embarrassing series defeat

Glenn Maxwell has bounced back from a worrying run of form in style after putting on a show for the Aussies in their 29-run victory over Pakistan in a rain-reduced Twenty20 series opener at the Gabba. Lightning and heavy rain in Brisbane saw the match reduced to just seven overs for both sides, but the strange nature of the contest suited Maxwell's big-hitting perfectly.

Australia's veteran white-ball cricket star had come under fire from critics before the match after registering scores of just 1, 2 not out, 7, 30, 0, 16 and 0 in his previous seven knocks. But Maxwell brushed off the backlash around his form with a 19-ball 43 that helped propel the home side to a formidable 3-93 off their seven overs.

Marcus Stoinis - whose form had also been called out by critics - chimed in with an unbeaten 21 off seven balls. The late cameo incuded 10 runs off the final two deliveries of the innings, meaning the Pakistanis would have to score at better than 13 an over to secure victory.

However, the visitors could only muster 9-64 in reply as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series to gain some revenge for their shock ODI series defeat to Pakistan. Queensland opener Bartlett (3-13) took two wickets in the second over, while Nathan Ellis (3-9) grabbed two more scalps the next to leave Pakistan reeling at 5-16 and their top order decimated.

Adam Zampa got in on the action with two wickets in a final where Pakistan needed 41 runs for victory. But the win was set up earlier on a rain-soaked night in Brisbane by Maxwell's pyrotechnics with the bat as the 'Big Show' gave the small number of die-hard fans that stuck around to watch the seven-over innings something to remember.

Maxwell made light of his form slump by going ballistic with the bat, hitting boundaries to all corners of the Gabba as he switched between batting right and left-handed. Maxwell mixed up some traditional slogging with some of his trademark reverse scoops, before finally being undone by an Abbas Afridi short ball that he hooked to a fielder in the deep.

Glenn Maxwell's explosive knock sets up Aussie win

"If the batsman bats like that, it's difficult for you," Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan said. "Really fast-paced, you can't predict anything (in a 14-over game) ... this kind of situation suits Maxwell." The Aussie batter entered the match with just 16 from his three ODI matches against Pakistan, which included two ducks.

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After sitting in the changeroom for nearly three hours, Maxwell reverse paddled his first delivery for four, one of four boundaries in his first six deliveries. The Victorian flushed another reverse paddle that went over the head of the man on the rope and narrowly missed an unsuspecting spectator in the third row. He then heaved a six over mid-wicket and another over mid-off from Haris Rauf's second over, racing to 40 off 15.

A frenetic innings was halted by a well-aimed Afridi bouncer, Maxwell hurried as he found the man on the rope. "We blinked and the boys were out there batting ... for Maxy to go out and do what he did first ball," Aussie teammate Ellis said after the match. "He's a freak but that's pretty well documented ... pretty good signs for us."

Pakistan had bossed the hosts in their last two 50-over contests, losing just three wickets across all three matches. But their batters came unstuck on Thursday night after an impressive display from Australia's bowlers. Bartlett set the tone after removing Pakistan captain Rizwan with his first delivery and Babar Azam in the same over.

Ellis was just as effective, taking 2-4 in the next over before Barlett added his third to take his tally to nine wickets in five T20 internationals. The match was as good as over when Zampa chimed in late on, as the Aussies struck first blood ahead of game two in Sydney tomorrow night. Hobart will host the final fixture on Monday.

with AAP