LAHORE: Pakistan completed a demolishing 111-run victory over Australia in the third and final T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 series whitewash and registering their first T20 series win against Australia in seven years.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz delivered a match-winning spell, claiming five wickets for 18 runs, as Australia were bowled out for 96 in 16.5 overs while chasing a daunting target of 208. The triumph marked Pakistan’s third T20I series whitewash over Australia, and their first since 2018 in the UAE.
Pakistan continued their aggressive batting blueprint, posting a commanding 207 for 6 after winning the toss and opting to bat on a dry, batting-friendly surface. The innings began briskly but not without early hiccups. Fakhar Zaman struck two boundaries before falling for 10, while captain Salman Ali Agha departed cheaply for 5, leaving Pakistan 34 for 2 inside four overs.
Saim Ayub then took charge with a fluent and confident knock, reaching his sixth T20I fifty off just 30 balls. He struck six fours and two sixes, stabilising the innings alongside Babar Azam. The pair added 50 runs in 30 balls, helping Pakistan cross the 100-run mark in the 11th over.
Saim was dismissed for 56, but the momentum did not drop. Khawaja Nafay, brought into the XI for the decider, made an immediate impact with a lively 21 off 12 balls, including two sixes. The decisive acceleration came through Shadab Khan, who unleashed a blistering cameo of 46 off 19 balls, smashing five sixes and two fours. His 50-run partnership with Babar came in just 26 balls, pushing Pakistan beyond the 190 mark.
Babar played the anchor role to perfection, registering his 38th T20I half-century, finishing unbeaten on 50 off 37 balls, with six fours and two sixes. Faheem Ashraf closed the innings with a quick 10 not out off 4 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz added a brief cameo as Pakistan crossed the 200-run barrier once again. Among Australia’s bowlers, Ben Dwarshuis picked up 2 for 39, while Matthew Kuhnemann (1 for 27) and Matthew Short (1 for 31) had modest success. However, Pakistan’s batting depth proved overwhelming.
Chasing 208, Australia’s innings collapsed under relentless pressure from Pakistan’s bowlers. The visitors lost Mitchell Marsh for 1 in the first over and Matthew Short for 2 shortly after, slipping to 4 for 2.
Early wickets continued to tumble as Matt Renshaw fell for 1, leaving Australia reeling at 16 for 3. Cameron Green (22 off 23 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (23 off 22 balls) attempted to rebuild, adding some resistance through the middle overs.
However, the turning point came when Mohammad Nawaz struck twice in quick succession, removing both Stoinis and Green around the drinks break. From 60 for 4, Australia slid rapidly, losing wickets in clusters.
