Pakistan secured a commanding 111-run victory against Australia in the third T20 match at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, completing a clean 3-0 sweep in the series.
After winning the opening match by 22 runs and the second by 90 runs, Pakistan maintained its dominance. Australia needed a win in the final game to avoid a series whitewash but fell short once again.
Winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first and posted a strong total of 207 runs for 6 wickets in the allotted overs. Early setbacks saw Fakhar Zaman dismissed at 14 runs, contributing only 10 runs to the team total. Captain Salman Agha added 5 runs before getting out, after putting together a 20-run partnership with Saif Ayub to take the score to 34.
Saif Ayub then joined Babar Azam, and the duo added a crucial 69 runs for the third wicket over 45 balls. Saif scored 56 runs off 37 balls, hitting two sixes and six fours before his dismissal.
Babar Azam steadied the innings from one end, partnering with Shadab Khan for a 57-run stand in 28 balls for the fifth wicket. Babar remained unbeaten on 50 runs from 36 balls, striking one six and three fours. Shadab Khan contributed a quickfire 46 runs off 19 balls, including five sixes and two fours.
For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis took the most wickets with two, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Matthew Short, Cooper Connolly, and Cameron Green claimed one wicket each.
In response, Australia was bowled out for a low total inside 16.5 overs. They lost three wickets by the time they reached 16 runs. Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis tried to stabilise the innings with a 44-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but the wickets kept falling steadily thereafter.
Only three Australian batsmen managed to reach double figures. Cameron Green scored 22, Marcus Stoinis made 23, and Josh Philippe added 14 runs.
Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz was the star bowler, taking five wickets for just 18 runs. Shaheen Afridi took two wickets, while Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah claimed one wicket each.
This comprehensive performance by Pakistan highlighted their dominance throughout the series and left Australia struggling to respond at any stage.
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