NOV 14, V7N- Glenn Maxwell's explosive 43 off 19 balls, coupled with stellar bowling performances from Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis, propelled Australia to a 29-run victory over Pakistan in a rain-affected first T20I in Brisbane on Thursday.

The match was reduced to a seven-over-per-side contest following a delayed start due to heavy rain and lightning. Australia, missing several top players preparing for the upcoming Test series against India, posted a formidable 93-4, with Maxwell anchoring the innings with his trademark aggressive batting.

Openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short set the tone by smashing 16 runs in the first over, but it was Maxwell's inventive stroke play, including a towering six off Haris Rauf, that stole the show. Marcus Stoinis provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 21 off seven balls.

In response, Pakistan's batting order crumbled, managing only 64-9 under the lights. Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis, both making comebacks from injuries, took three wickets apiece in a fiery display of bowling. Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan and key batter Babar Azam fell cheaply, as the chase faltered early. Only Abbas Afridi showed resistance with a late unbeaten 20 off 10 balls.

"It's always challenging in such shortened matches, but we had fun out there," Maxwell said after the game. Pakistan's Rizwan, who elected to bowl first, admitted the fast pace of the match made it difficult to execute their plans.

The victory marked a strong start for Australia in the truncated series, which now moves to the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, followed by the finale in Hobart on Monday.

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