AUS vs PAK: 3rd T20I – Australia crush Pakistan to win T20I series 2-0

Australia strode to a comprehensive victory over Pakistan in the third T20I match played at the Optus Stadium, Perth to clinch the three-match series 2-0 (First T20I was a washout). Chasing only 106 runs to win, Captain Aaron Finch and David Warner needed no other batsman to knock off the target. The 10-wicket triumph sets Australia as the favourites for the T20 World Cup which will be played on the same soil later this year.

Also read: IND vs BAN: Records galore for Rohit Sharma during Rajkot T20I

Pakistan’s batting struggle continues

The Asian team’s lack of T2o batting muscle was once again exposed. They lost their star batsman and world’s number one T20I batsman, Babar Azam in the third over itself. Mitchell Starc cleaned up Mohammad Rizwan on the very next delivery to put Pakistan on the back foot. The batting side kept bleeding wickets at one end with only one batsman standing tall at the other end.

Iftikhar Ahmed, playing only his sixth T20I, top-scored with 45 runs from 37 balls. The second-highest score by a Pakistani batsman was 14. Ahmed was also the only batsman from the Pakistan team with a strike rate above 100. His efforts helped the visitors post 106/8 in their 20 overs. Kane Richardson took a three-wicket haul while Sean Abbott and Starc picked two wickets each.

Finch and Warner continue ruthless batting

CRUNCH!

Watch #AUSvPAK live: https://t.co/ehGlnLPXR3 pic.twitter.com/EBcTa7JJhO

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 8, 2019

Australia’s opening pair of Finch and Warner extended their domination at the top. The duo began in an exhilarating fashion and continued throughout in the same vein. Pakistan fluffed a few chances early in the chase but otherwise, Australia gave no chances. Finch was masterful and brought up his fifty with a boundary which also turned out to be the winning hit. Australia kept all 10 wickets intact while gunning down the target. Sean Abbott earned the player of the match award for his economical spell while Steve Smith took the player of the series award.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 106/8 in 20 overs ( I Ahmed 45, K Richardson 18/3, S Abbott 14/2, M Starc 29/2) lost to Australia 109/0 in 11.5 overs ( A Finch 52*, D Warner 48*) by 10 wickets