T20I Tri-Series: Shaheen, Zaman sink Australia in dead rubber

Pakistan have defeated Australia by 45 runs in the fifth match of the triangular series in Harare, on Thursday.

Chasing a target of 195 runs, Australia could only manage 149 for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Pakistan picked up wickets at regular intervals to keep the Aussie innings bereft of momentum for a large portion of their batting.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey was the top scorer with an unbeaten 37 off 24 balls. D'Arcy Short played a lackluster 28-run knock at the top of the order, which took him 34 balls.

Young pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with three wickets — which included the prized scalp of in-form Australian captain Aaron Finch.

Pacers Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Usman Khan and leg-spinner Shadab Khan picked up one wicket each.

Earlier Pakistan had set Australia a target of 195 runs, after they were asked to bat first by Aaron Finch.

Pakistan made two changes to the sides that stepped out on the field — in their previous match against Zimbabwe —with Shaheen Afridi and Usman Khan replacing Mohammad Nawaz and Hasan Ali. Australia on the other hand have fielded an unchanged side.

Opener Fakhar Zaman continued his good run of form in the series with another brisk innings of 73 runs off 42 balls— which included nine fours and three sixes. For his superb innings, Zaman was also declared player of the match.

Hussain Talat chipped in with a contribution of 30 runs while Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali played quick-fire cameos of 27 and 37 runs respectively.

For Australia Andrew Tye picked up three wickets while Jhye Richardson bagged two scalps. Billy Stanlake — who wreaked havoc with a bowling spell of 4-8 in the previous outing against Pakistan — went wicketless.

The last match of the round-robin stage will be played on July 6 between Australia and Zimbabwe while the final of the triangular series will take place on July 8 between Pakistan and Australia.