LAHORE: Pakistan will face Australia in the third and final T20 match of the series today at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
The national team has an opportunity to achieve a whitewash after they secured victory in the second match which confirmed their series win. A victory in today’s match would give Pakistan a 3-0 series win over Australia.
The final encounter will draw significant cricket fan interest because Pakistan wants to sustain their winning streak while they complete their final match of the series.
Earlier, Pakistan achieved a historic victory by defeating Australia by 90 runs in the second T20I match held in Lahore. Australia struggled to chase down the target of 199 runs set by Pakistan, folding for just 108 runs in only 15.4 overs.
Cameron was the highest scorer for the Australian team, managing 35 runs, while Matthew Short contributed 27 runs. Captain Mitchell Marsh was dismissed for 18 runs, and Travis Head fell prey to Saim Ayub, scoring only 4 runs. Josh Ingles and Matthew Short were also quick to leave, returning to the pavilion after making just 5 and 2 runs, respectively.
On the bowling side for Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan each claimed three wickets, Usman Tariq took two wickets, while Saim Ayub and Muhammad Nawaz each secured one wicket.
Pakistan began the match by batting first and scored 198 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted overs. Captain Salman Ali Agha led with a strong innings, scoring 76 runs off 40 balls. Usman Tariq contributed significantly with a partnership of 53 runs, and both Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan added 23 and 28 runs, respectively.
For Australia, bowlers Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Khunniman, Shaun Abbott, and Cooper Connolly each took one wicket.
Prior to the match, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. Captain Salman Ali Agha announced he would bat at number 3 and made three changes to the team. Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi, and Salman Mirza were rested, while Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, and Usman Tariq were included in the playing eleven.
