Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan run riot as Pakistan whitewash Australia in T20I series

Pakistan beat Australia in 3rd T20I [Source: @HassanAbbasian/X.com]

Pakistan delivered a dominant performance to defeat Australia by 111 runs in the third T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday. 

With this emphatic win, Pakistan finished the series on a high and completely outplayed the visitors in all departments.

Shabad Khan pushes Pakistan to a thumping total

Australia were asked to field first. Pakistan, meanwhile, got off to a mixed start. Fakhar Zaman looked positive early and struck two boundaries but was dismissed for 10 in the second over. 

Soon after, captain Salman Agha also fell cheaply, leaving Pakistan two wickets down inside four overs.  

Saim Ayub then steadied the innings. He played with confidence and timing. Ayub identified the gaps consistently and kept the scoreboard ticking. He formed a good partnership with Babar Azam, who played a composed and calculated knock.

Ayub scored his half-century in 37 deliveries, striking six fours and two sixes. He was out for 56 in the 12th over, but his knock provided a solid foundation to Pakistan.

Babar Azam anchored one end. He timed his innings perfectly and changed strike. Khawaja Nafay added quick runs in the middle overs, scoring 21 off 12 balls. Pakistan crossed 130 by the 14th over and were well set for a big finish.

The final overs belonged to Shadab Khan. He played a stunning cameo. Shadab smashed 46 runs off just 19 balls, hitting five sixes. His aggressive batting completely shifted the momentum. 

Babar reached his fifty and remained unbeaten on 50 off 36 balls. Faheem Ashraf also chipped in with a quick 10 not out. Pakistan finished with 207/6 in their 20 overs.

Nawaz helps Pakistan clean sweep Australia

Australia’s chase began poorly. Shaheen Afridi began well by removing Mitchell Marsh and Matt Renshaw in the powerplay.

Australia struggled to settle and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Mohammad Nawaz then took control of the innings.  

Nawaz bowled with accuracy and variation. He dismissed key batters, including Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, and Josh Philippe. His spell broke Australia’s middle order. 

Green and Stoinis tried to resist, but neither could convert their starts. Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah supported well, keeping the pressure tight. Australia could never recover from the initial damage.

The required run rate kept mounting, and wickets kept tumbling. Nawaz finished off an incredible five-wicket haul, ending with figures of 5 for 18.

Australia were bowled out for just 96 in 16.5 overs. Ben Dwarshuis was the top scorer among the lower order with 7 not out. Adam Zampa could not bat due to injury.

Pakistan’s bowlers celebrated a comprehensive win. Shaheen Afridi picked up two wickets, while Nawaz was named the standout performer. The 111-run victory underlined Pakistan’s dominance in the match.

It was a complete team performance. Strong batting up front. Explosive hitting at the end. And ruthless bowling to finish the job and complete a series sweep.