Australia Whitewashed Pakistan: A Clinical Display in T20I Series
Australia Whitewashed Pakistan with a commanding performance to secure a 3-0 series victory against Pakistan in the T20I series. The hosts wrapped up the clean sweep with an emphatic win in the third and final match at the Bellerive Oval, showcasing their all-round dominance. Â
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles Continue
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan made two changes to their playing XI, resting key players Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah. Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha stepped in as skipper, while Jahandad Khan and Haseebullah were brought into the lineup. However, the changes failed to inspire a turnaround in fortunes. Â
The new opening pair of Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan struggled to establish a solid foundation. Farhan was dismissed in the second over for just nine runs, leaving Pakistan on the back foot. Babar, showing glimpses of his trademark form, crafted an elegant 41 off 28 balls, including four boundaries. Partnering with Haseebullah, the duo stitched together a promising 44-run stand before Haseebullah fell to Adam Zampa’s sharp spin for 24.
The middle-order collapse began soon after, with Usman Khan (3), Salman Ali Agha (1), and others failing to contribute significantly. Babar’s departure in the 13th over marked a turning point as Zampa bowled him clean, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble at 91-5.
The tailenders offered minimal resistance, and the visiting side was bundled out for a modest 117 in the penultimate over. For Australia, Zampa’s spin (2-21), Spencer Johnson’s pace, and Aaron Hardie’s all-round brilliance (3-21) proved too much for Pakistan to handle.
Australia’s Chase: Stoinis Shines Bright
Chasing 118, Australia overcame a shaky start to cruise to victory with 52 balls to spare. Early wickets of openers Jake Fraser-McGurk (2) and Matthew Short (18) left the hosts at 30-2 inside four overs. However, skipper Josh Inglis and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis steadied the innings with a crucial 55-run partnership.
Inglis played a measured knock, scoring 27 off 24 balls, including four boundaries, before being dismissed in the 10th over. Stoinis, then, took charge of the chase. Demonstrating his power-hitting prowess, he smashed an unbeaten 67 off just 27 balls, peppering the boundary with five fours and five towering sixes. His fifth T20I half-century ensured a swift and decisive win for Australia.
Australia’s Series Dominance
The series highlighted Australia’s dominance, both with the bat and ball. The hosts had already sealed the series with wins in Brisbane by 29 runs (DLS method) and Sydney by 13 runs before their clinical performance in Hobart.
Pakistan, on the other hand, struggled to find a rhythm throughout the series. The absence of Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah in the final game further exposed their lack of depth. Although Babar Azam showed glimpses of form, his efforts alone were insufficient to challenge the Australian juggernaut. Â
The hosts, however, had their own concern with Glenn Maxwell leaving the field during the final game due to a suspected hamstring issue, raising questions about his availability for future fixtures.
Conclusion
Australia’s clean sweep over Pakistan underscores their growing strength in T20I cricket, with their players stepping up in crucial moments. Marcus Stoinis’s heroics, supported by consistent contributions from the bowling unit, played a pivotal role in the series. For Pakistan, the series highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in batting depth and adaptability. Â
As Australia celebrates a dominant performance, Pakistan will look to regroup and address their shortcomings ahead of upcoming challenges.
