Aus vs Pak 3rd T20I: Stoinis Smashes Australia to Series Clean Sweep as Zampa Torments Pakistan
Australia capped off a dominant T20I series against Pakistan with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory in the third and final match at Bellerive Oval, securing a 3-0 clean sweep. Pakistan’s lack of a stable middle order, coupled with an exceptional bowling performance from Adam Zampa, saw them skittled for just 117 in 18.1 overs. Australia cruised to the modest target with nearly nine overs to spare, thanks to a scintillating 61* off 27 balls from Marcus Stoinis.
Zampa’s Magic Dismisses Pakistan’s Hopes
After a strong start from Pakistan, which saw them reach 58-1 in the Powerplay, Adam Zampa turned the game on its head. The Australian leg-spinner was unplayable, finishing with 2-11 from four overs, as he put the brakes on Pakistan’s momentum and exploited their technical frailties.
Zampa made his mark early, removing Haseebullah Khan (13) with a clever variation in the seventh over. In his next spell, he dismissed Pakistan’s talismanic captain, Babar Azam, who had top-scored with 41 off 28 balls. Babar had been looking solid, but Zampa’s flighted delivery caught him out as he charged down the wicket, losing his stumps. The collapse was swift after that, with Pakistan losing their next nine wickets for just 56 runs.
While Zampa’s precision was critical, he was well supported by Aaron Hardie, who claimed 3-21, and a solid showing from the Australian attack, who ensured Pakistan never got any sort of recovery going. Pakistan’s middle order wilted under pressure, and their fragile tail proved unable to withstand the onslaught. With the fall of the fifth wicket, Pakistan effectively ran out of batters, making a chaseable total ever more unlikely.
Stoinis Powers Australia to Victory
Chasing 118, Australia stumbled early as both Jake Fraser-McGurk (5) and Matthew Short (10) fell cheaply, leaving the hosts at 20-2 after the Powerplay. However, Marcus Stoinis was in no mood to let the game slip away. The all-rounder, who had struggled earlier in the series, turned up when it mattered most, putting the Pakistan bowlers to the sword.
Stoinis’ demolition of Pakistan’s attack began with a brutal assault on Haris Rauf, as he smashed the pacer for 22 runs in one over, including two sixes and two fours. His blistering knock brought Australia to the brink of victory, and he reached his half-century off just 23 balls. The partnership with wicketkeeper Josh Inglis (27) further steered Australia toward their target with ease.
In the space of just a few overs, Stoinis turned the game on its head, hammering 45 runs from his next 12 balls, including a monstrous 25-run over off Shaheen Afridi. By the time Stoinis fell, caught off the no-ball of Afridi for a boundary-laden 61*, the target was all but secured, and Australia had crossed the line in just 11.4 overs.
Pakistan’s Missed Opportunities
While the Australian chase was clinical, Pakistan’s bowling attack could not sustain pressure when it was most needed. Shaheen Afridi (1-14) bowled a tidy spell, but the rest of the bowlers lacked discipline, and Stoinis made them pay heavily for any loose deliveries. Rauf, who had enjoyed success in the series, was on the receiving end of a Stoinis onslaught and, despite some decent performances with the ball earlier in the series, could not halt Australia’s charge.
Pakistan’s tactical approach also came under scrutiny, with aggressive shots from their batters falling apart as the wickets tumbled. Usman Khan (2) was another batter who looked out of sorts, trying to force the pace from the get-go and ultimately falling cheaply to Hardie.
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What’s Next for Pakistan?
Pakistan will need to regroup after this heavy defeat, as their inability to construct partnerships and manage their lower order remains a critical concern. Despite a promising start in the first six overs, Pakistan’s frailty against quality spin and their lack of depth in the batting line-up were exposed once again. With the series already decided, Pakistan’s team management will now need to make quick adjustments ahead of their next international assignment.
Australia’s Dominant Victory
For Australia, the clean sweep marks a successful conclusion to their T20I series. Adam Zampa’s wizardry with the ball and Marcus Stoinis’ explosive finish were the standout performances, but the entire team contributed to the win. This comprehensive victory builds confidence as they continue preparations for upcoming challenges, with the T20 World Cup on the horizon.
Australia’s captain, who was absent from this match, will be buoyed by the team’s performance, and the depth of talent on display across the series makes Australia one of the form teams in the shortest format.
Australia 118/3 (Stoinis 61*, Inglis 27)
Pakistan 117 all out (Babar 41, Zampa 2-11, Hardie 3-21)
Australia won by 7 wickets and sealed the series 3-0.
