Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed celebrates after dismissing Australia’s Josh Inglis during the second T20 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Saturday. Photo: X/ PCB
A collective bowling effort, highlighted by a superb five-wicket haul from Mohammad Nawaz, powered Pakistan to a crushing 111-run victory over Australia in the third and final T20 International at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, completing a 3-0 whitewash in the home series.
The emphatic win provided Pakistan with a major confidence boost ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, with both teams using the series as part of their final preparations.
Chasing a daunting target of 208 runs, Australia’s batting collapsed against a disciplined Pakistan bowling attack led by Nawaz, as the visitors were bowled out for just 96 in 16.5 overs.
All-rounder Marcus Stoinis was the top scorer for Australia with 23 off 22 balls, while Cameron Green contributed a cautious 22 off 24 deliveries. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe was the only other player to reach double figures, scoring 14.
Nawaz spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling charge with outstanding figures of 5 for 18 from his four overs. He was well supported by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who claimed two wickets, while Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah picked up one wicket each as Pakistan wrapped up the match with ease.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that paid rich dividends as the hosts posted an imposing 207 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Green Shirts suffered an early setback when opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for 10 in the second over with the score on 14. Agha promoted himself to number three but failed to make an impact in the series finale, falling for a three-ball five to Ben Dwarshuis, leaving Pakistan at 34 for 2.
The innings was stabilised by an important 69-run partnership for the third wicket between Babar Azam and Saim Ayub, which shifted momentum firmly in Pakistan’s favour. Ayub top-scored with a fluent 56 off 37 balls, striking six fours and two sixes, before being dismissed on the first ball of the 12th over by Matthew Kuhnemann, with Matthew Renshaw taking a spectacular catch in the deep.
Babar then combined with Khawaja Nafay for a quick 28-run stand for the fourth wicket. Nafay impressed with a brisk 21 off 12 balls, including two sixes and a boundary.
With Pakistan well placed at 131 for 4 after 14 overs, all-rounder Shadab Khan provided the late surge, smashing 46 off 19 balls with seven boundaries, including five sixes. He also shared a vital 57-run partnership with Babar, who anchored the innings and remained unbeaten on 50 off 36 deliveries, hitting three fours and a six.
For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis was the most successful bowler with 2 for 39, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly and Matthew Short claimed one wicket each.
