By Asif Naveed
LAHORE (MNN); Pakistan completed a clean sweep of Australia in the three-match T20I series, winning 3-0 at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, with all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz claiming five wickets in a dominant performance.
Batting first, the Green Shirts posted 207 for six, their highest-ever T20I total against Australia. Openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman gave Pakistan a solid start after winning the toss and opting to bat. Fakhar replaced Sahibzada Farhaan, who had failed to score in the opening match and managed only five runs in the second game.
Saim Ayub top-scored with 56 runs and shared a 69-run partnership with Babar Azam, who remained unbeaten on 50. Shadab Khan added quick runs, smashing 46 off just 19 balls, including five sixes. Captain Salman Ali Agha, who had scored 76 in the previous match, could manage only five runs in this game.
For Australia, Cooper Connolly picked up one wicket but conceded 47 runs in his four overs, while Ben Dwarshuis claimed two wickets.
Pakistan had already secured the series with a comprehensive 90-run victory in the second match on Saturday, giving them an unassailable 2-0 lead. The result highlighted Pakistan’s growing dominance over Australia in the shortest format.
Earlier, in the series opener on Thursday, Pakistan registered their first T20I win against Australia in over seven years, with Saim Ayub delivering an impressive all-round performance.
