Dominant Pakistan whitewash Australia with T20I series win

Lahore (Web Desk): Mohammad Nawaz delivered a spectacular performance with the ball, claiming five crucial wickets as Pakistan overwhelmed Australia by 111 runs to complete a flawless 3-0 T20I series sweep at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

The commanding win gave both teams a final rehearsal ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

Tasked with chasing a daunting 208-run target, Australia’s batting lineup quickly found itself under pressure against a relentless Pakistani attack led by Nawaz.

The visitors were bundled out for 96 in just 16.5 overs. Marcus Stoinis offered some resistance, top-scoring with 23 off 22 balls, while Cameron Green contributed a cautious 22 from 24 deliveries. Only Josh Philippe managed to cross double digits, scoring 14 runs.

Nawaz spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling effort with phenomenal figures of 5/18 in four overs, supported by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who claimed two wickets. Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah chipped in with one wicket apiece, ensuring that Australia never mounted any serious challenge.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first proved rewarding, as his team posted a formidable total of 207/6 in their 20 overs.

The innings got off to a rocky start when opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for 10 in the second over, leaving Pakistan at 14/1. Agha came in at No.3 but could not replicate his recent success, falling for just five off three balls as the score slipped to 34/2 in 3.4 overs.

Babar Azam and Saim Ayub then steadied the innings, forging a crucial 69-run partnership for the third wicket. Saim was eventually dismissed in the first ball of the 12th over by Matthew Kuhnemann, with Matthew Renshaw taking a sensational catch in the deep. Saim finished as Pakistan’s top scorer with 56 from 37 balls, including six fours and two sixes.

Babar then combined with Khawaja Nafay for a brief but impactful 28-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Nafay impressed with 21 runs off just 12 deliveries, hitting two sixes and a four. When the team reached 131/4 in 14 overs, Shadab Khan came to the crease and swung the momentum decisively in Pakistan’s favor.

He blasted 46 off 19 balls, striking five sixes and two boundaries, and shared a 57-run partnership with Babar, who remained unbeaten on 50 from 36 balls, including three fours and a six.

For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis was the most successful bowler with two wickets for 39 runs, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, and Matthew Short took one wicket each.