Australia completed a dominant 3-0 sweep of their T20I series against Pakistan with a commanding seven-wicket victory in the third match in Hobart. The highlight of the match was an explosive knock by Marcus Stoinis, who smashed an unbeaten 61 off just 27 balls, leading Australia to the target of 118 with ease in just 11.2 overs.
Pakistan, having chosen to bat first after winning the toss, faced a challenging start as their batting lineup crumbled under pressure. Their innings was pegged back by some exceptional bowling from Australia’s Aaron Hardie and Adam Zampa. Hardie, with his pace and accuracy, was the standout bowler, claiming 3 wickets for just 21 runs. Zampa, the leg-spinner, played his part with a superb spell, taking 2 wickets for 11 runs. The two bowlers combined to restrict Pakistan to a modest total of 117 runs in 18.1 overs. The Pakistani batsmen struggled to build partnerships, with the only notable contribution coming from Babar Azam, who top-scored with 41 runs. Other than him, no Pakistani batter could make a significant impact, as Australia’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings.
Chasing a target of just 118, Australia made light work of the chase. Although they lost an early wicket, Marcus Stoinis took charge with an aggressive approach, taking the game away from Pakistan. His blistering knock of 61 not out was the key to Australia’s victory, as he struck boundaries with ease and ensured his team stayed ahead of the required run rate. Stoinis’ dominant performance, combined with solid support from the other Australian batsmen, saw them reach the target in just 11.2 overs, sealing a comfortable seven-wicket win.
This win marked the third consecutive victory for Australia in the series, following their triumphs in the first two matches. They had previously won the opening game by 29 runs in a rain-affected match at the Gabba, and the second match by 13 runs, showing their resilience and all-round strength in the T20 format. After a disappointing 1-2 loss in the ODI series to Pakistan, Australia’s impressive turnaround in the T20Is demonstrated their ability to adapt and dominate.
