Pakistan vs Australia Tri-Series Final: Match in numbers
Pakistan have strengthened their grip on the number one T20I ranking as they sealed their biggest chase to win the Tri-Series final against Australia. Finch won the toss and decided to bat. Aussies set Pakistan a target of 184 which Pakistan chased down with ease courtesy of the knock by Zaman. Here is the match report.
Australia's middle order lets them down
Batting first, Finch and Short got Australia to a flying start as they stitched a 95 run opening partnership. Finch's dismissal opened the floodgates, and Australia finished with 183/8. Pakistan, on the contrary, had a poor start and found themselves reeling at 2/2. But Zaman steadied the ship and steered the number one T20I side home.
Sublime Zaman steals the show Harare
Zaman's 91 off 46 balls was the difference tonight. It is now the highest individual score in a T20I final. West Indies veteran batsman Marlon Samuel previously held the record with scores of 78 and 85* in 2012 and 2016 WT20 finals respectively.
Pakistan have won 9 T20I series on the trot
Pakistan have won their 9th successive T20Is series post the World T20 in 2016. They beat England 1-0 and then scripted a 3-0 whitewash of West Indies. They beat West Indies 3-1 again and World XI 2-1. This was followed by a 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka and 2-1 win over New Zealand. West Indies and Scotland were whitewashed and finally this Tri-Series triumph.
Not according to plan
Sahibzada Farhan had a nightmare of a debut and got an unwanted record registered to his name. Farhan became the first player to get stumped off the very first ball, which he faced in international cricket.
Pakistan certainly know how to chase targets
Pakistan are the first side to win 10 consecutive matches while chasing in T20Is. England and Australia have won 8 straight games while chasing in 2010-2011 and 2016-2018 respectively.
