Pakistan fails to ‘conquer’ Australia yet again!
Just a few days ago, Pakistan celebrated a historic ODI series win in Australia. So, why this statement now? Because cricket today spans three formats, and in T20Is, Pakistan still hasn’t managed to defeat Australia on their home soil. In seven T20Is in Australia, Pakistan has lost six, with one match ending without a result. Their latest defeat came today in Hobart.
In the third T20I, Pakistan was completely outplayed by Australia. Resting regular skipper Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan collapsed for just 117 runs. Marcus Stoinis then led a brutal chase, finishing the game in just 8.2 overs with seven wickets in hand. With this victory, Josh Inglis’s side completed a clean sweep in the three-match series.
Chasing 118, Australia lost two wickets for 30 runs before Stoinis took the stage. The pace-bowling all-rounder smashed an unbeaten 61 off just 27 balls, hitting five fours and five towering sixes. Stoinis’s explosive innings was backed by captain Inglis, who scored 27 off 24 balls. Together, they added 55 runs for the third wicket. Jake Fraser-McGurk also chipped in with 18 off 11 balls. Debutant left-arm pacer Jahanzaib Khan claimed his maiden international wicket, dismissing Fraser-McGurk.
Pakistan, led by Agha Salman in this match, opted to bat first after winning the toss. Despite losing Sahibzada Farhan in the second over, they started well, reaching 61/1 in 6.4 overs. However, Adam Zampa’s dismissal of Haseebullah Khan (24 off 19) triggered a collapse. Pakistan tumbled from 61/1 to 70/4 in just three overs.
The situation worsened when Babar Azam, Pakistan’s former captain, was dismissed in the 13th over after scoring a team-high 41 off 28 balls. Following his departure at 91 runs, Pakistan could only add 26 more, folding for 117 in 18.1 overs.
Australia’s Aaron Hardie was the pick of the bowlers with 3/21 in four overs, but Zampa was the key to containing Pakistan. The leg-spinner conceded just 11 runs in four overs, picking up two wickets.
With this result, Pakistan faced their second consecutive T20I series whitewash. Earlier in May, they lost 2-0 to England in a two-match series.
Match Summary:
Pakistan: 117 all out in 18.1 overs (Babar 41, Haseebullah 24; Hardie 3/21, Zampa 2/11, Johnson 2/24)
Australia: 118/3 in 11.2 overs (Stoinis 61*, Inglis 27; Jahanzaib 1/17)
Result: Australia won by 7 wickets.
Series: Australia won 3-0 in the 3-match series.
Player of the Match: Marcus Stoinis
Player of the Series: Spencer Johnson.
