Babar Azam breaks Virat Kohlis record as Pakistan whitewash Australia in T20I series

New Delhi: Pakistan defeated Australia by 111 runs in the third and final T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday, February 1. Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Nawaz starred as the hosts whitewashed Australia 3-0 in the T20I series.

Chasing 208 runs target, Australia were bowled out for 96 in 16.5 overs, with Adam Zampa not coming out to bat. The visitors got off to a poor start as Shaheen Afridi removed Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh on the fourth ball of the over.

The Australian batting line-up struggled against Pakistani bowlers, with Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw getting dismissed cheaply. The Aussies were reduced to 16/3 in 2.5 overs with Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis at the crease.

They forged a 44-run partnership for the fourth wicket, propelling the score to 60/4 in 9.1 overs. Mohammad Nawaz broke the stand, removing Stoinis, who scored 23 runs from 22 balls with the help of three boundaries.

After his dismissal, the visitors suffered a collapse and bowled out for 90/9 in 16.5 overs, resulting in their third biggest losing margin in T20Is. Mohammad Nawaz took five wicket and Shaheen Shah Afridi also picked up two wickets.

Earlier, Saim Ayub and Babar Azam smashed half-centuries, and a quick-fire knock from Shadab Khan helped Pakistan to set a 208-run target in 20 overs.

Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for 10 in the second over, which brought Salman Agha to the crease at number three, but the captain failed to repeat his earlier heroics and was dismissed by Ben Dwarshuis for five runs, leaving Pakistan struggling at 34/2 in 3.4 overs.

Babar Azam joined Saim Ayub in the middle, and they changed the momentum with a69-run partnership for the third wicket.

Ayub scored 56 runs off 37 balls, smashing six boundaries and two maximums, before losing to Matthew Kuhnemann. Nafay also made a useful contribution, scoring 21 runs off 12 balls. All-rounder Shadab Khan played a stunning knock in the end, smashing 46 runs off just 19 deliveries with the help of five maximums and seven boundaries.

Shadab also forged a vital 57-run partnership with Babar, who remained unbeaten on 50 from 36 balls. He broke Virat Kohli's record for most half-centuries in men's T20I cricket.

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