PERTH: Australia clinched a 3-0 series victory over Pakistan after a commanding performance in the third and final T20I match at Bellerive Oval.
Chasing a modest target of 118, the Australians completed the task comfortably with three wickets to spare, finishing in just 11.2 overs.
The chase got off to an uncertain start as Australia lost both openers early. Jake Fraser-McGurk (2) and Matthew Short (18) were dismissed quickly, leaving the hosts at 30-2. However, captain Josh Inglis and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis steadied the innings with a solid 55-run partnership for the third wicket. Inglis contributed 27 runs off 24 balls before his dismissal in the 10th over.
Following Inglis’ departure, Stoinis accelerated the scoring, remaining unbeaten at 67 off 27 balls. His innings featured five sixes and as many fours, helping Australia secure the win. Pakistan’s bowlers, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jahandad Khan, and Abbas Afridi, all took a wicket each but were unable to stop the Australian charge.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan opted to bat first but was dismissed for just 117 runs in 18.1 overs. After an early setback, with Sahibzada Farhan falling for 9, Pakistan’s top-order struggled to build partnerships. Babar Azam (41) and Haseebullah Khan (24) fought back with a 44-run stand, but their efforts were not enough. Adam Zampa’s key wickets, including that of Babar, helped dismantle the Pakistani batting line-up, with Zampa finishing with figures of 2-16.
Australia’s clean sweep marks a dominant end to the series, with Pakistan left to reflect on their performance ahead of future challenges.
