Marcus Stoinis’ blistering half-century led Australia to a dominant seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the third and final T20I, securing a 3-0 series sweep. Australia raced to a comfortable chase of 118 with 52 balls to spare, despite a shaky start to the pursuit.

Set a modest target, Australia’s chase got off to a rocky start as openers Jake Fraser-McGurk (2) and Matthew Short (18) were dismissed within the first four overs, leaving the scoreboard at 30/2. However, skipper Josh Inglis joined forces with Stoinis, and the duo formed a vital 55-run partnership for the third wicket. Inglis contributed 27 off 24 balls before being dismissed in the 10th over.

With Inglis gone, Stoinis took charge, accelerating the chase with a dominant display. He reached his fifth T20I half-century in style, finishing unbeaten on 67 off 27 balls, including five sixes and as many fours. Australia completed the chase in just 11.2 overs, sealing the win and the series.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jahandad Khan, and Abbas Afridi each picked up a wicket, but their efforts proved insufficient against Stoinis’ onslaught.

Earlier, Pakistan, opting to bat first, could only manage 117 runs before being dismissed in the penultimate over. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam struggled to provide a solid start, with Farhan departing early for nine. Babar and Haseebullah Khan then formed a crucial 44-run partnership for the second wicket, but the innings fell apart after Haseebullah’s dismissal by Adam Zampa in the seventh over for 24.

Babar Azam, who top-scored for Pakistan with 41 off 28 balls, was cleaned up by Zampa in the 13th over, leaving Pakistan at 91/5. The visitors’ collapse continued as they lost two more wickets in the following over, slipping to 92/7.

Shaheen Shah Afridi showed some resistance with a gritty 16-run cameo, but once he was dismissed, Pakistan were bundled out for 117, managing just one more run before the final wicket fell.

Aaron Hardie was the standout bowler for Australia, taking three wickets. Zampa and Spencer Johnson supported with two wickets each, while Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis shared two wickets between them.

Australia’s series sweep comes after securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, leaving the visitors with plenty to ponder as they head into the future.

Scorecard:

Pakistan: 117 all out (20 overs)
Babar Azam 41 (28), Shaheen Shah Afridi 16 (10)
Australia: 118/3 (11.2 overs)
Marcus Stoinis 67* (27), Josh Inglis 27 (24)

Australia win by 7 wickets.

Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan(w), Usman Khan, Agha Salman(c), Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem

Australia (Playing XI): Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis(w/c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa