Australia has made history with their remarkable clean sweep over Pakistan, winning all three matches of the T20 series. The final game, played at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, showcased some brilliant performances, particularly from Marcus Stoinis, who led the charge with his explosive batting. Stoinis scored 61 runs off just 27 balls, paving the way for Australia’s seven-wicket victory and sealing the series at 3-0.
The atmosphere was electric as the match kicked off, with Pakistan opting to bat first after winning the toss. Initially, they appeared to be on track, reaching 61-1 at one point. Babar Azam, the standout batsman for Pakistan, contributed 41 runs, helping his team establish what seemed to be a solid foundation. Unfortunately for the visitors, their innings took a nosedive as they lost nine wickets for merely 56 runs, collapsing to 117 all out within 18.1 overs.
Australia's bowlers were relentless, with Aaron Hardie particularly impressing with figures of 3 wickets for 21 runs. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa also played a key role, picking up 2 wickets, including the pivotal scalp of Babar Azam. Zampa’s sharp googly caught Babar off guard, sending him back to the pavilion and significantly shifting momentum toward the Aussies.
After the initial hiccup of losing two quick wickets early on during their batting, Australia bounced back through Stoinis, who was nothing short of spectacular. His innings featured five sixes and four fours, igniting the Australian chase and leading them to successfully reach their target of 118 runs with plenty of overs to spare, finishing at 118-3 after just 11.2 overs.
Reflecting on their performance, Australia’s captain Josh Inglis expressed immense pride and joy, stating, “It’s been a great week. We’ve had a lot of fun as a group. When Stoinis is going like he did, he’s really hard to stop.” The captain’s enthusiasm underscored the team spirit and excitement within the squad, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie and enjoyment during matches.
Pakistan, on the other hand, faced significant challenges throughout the series, particularly with maintaining momentum during their innings. The team’s middle-order struggles were evident, and new skipper Salman Ali Agha pointed to the missed opportunities for scoring during the middle overs as part of their downfall. The only moments of brightness came at the beginning of their innings and the spell from fast bowler Haris Rauf, who previously achieved his milestone of climbing to joint-leading wicket-taker for Pakistan alongside Shadab Khan with 107 wickets each.
Babar Azam made history of his own during the series, surpassing Virat Kohli’s tally to become one of the leading T20 scorers. His record-breaking achievements provided some solace during what was mostly a disappointing series for the team.
This T20 series has highlighted the significant strides Australia has made, especially following their ODI series victory where they tasted success against Pakistan. Their ability to transition seamlessly between formats has positioned them as formidable competitors on the international stage, showcasing both skill and strategic brilliance.
Looking forward, Pakistan aims to regroup and reflect on their T20 performances. Skipper Ali Agha noted, “It’s obviously a big achievement winning the ODI series, but we could have done muchbetter in the T20s.” The team’s focus will be on learning from their errors and building upon their successes as they enter future competitions.
The match and series quote have left fans buzzing with excitement over the recent display of fireworks, excitement, and sportsmanship. For Australian cricket, this clean sweep fortifies their position within the T20 domain, showcasing their depth and resilience. While for Pakistan, it emphasizes the necessity for strategic improvements and stronger execution moving forward.
