Australia defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets in the third and final T20I of the series at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, on November 18 (Monday) with the help of a stunning knock from Marcus Stoinis. Babar Azam (41 off 28) was the only fighter as Pakistan was bowled out for 117 in 18.1 overs after choosing to bat first. With figures of 3/21 in four overs, Aaron Hardie was Australia's best bowler.
Marcus Stoinis, who hammered a 61 not out off 27 balls, helped the hosts easily chase down the small target set by Men in Green. After losing the ODI series by 1-2, Australia went on to win the match and complete a 3-0 thumping of Pakistan.
No Rizwan in 3rd T20I
Agha Salman was given leadership responsibilities earlier in the day, as Pakistan rested their regular captain, Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan's new opening duo of Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan started the innings. The pair did not last long, though, as Farhan was dismissed by Spencer Johnson for just 9 runs off 7 balls.
Haseebullah Khan (24 off 19) joined Babar at the crease following the early blow, and the two of them scored 44 runs off 31 balls for the second wicket. However, Haseebullah was caught at point against Adam Zampa, therefore they were unable to continue their partnership after that. Aaron Hardie (3/21) tore through Pakistan's middle order after he was dismissed, and the team collapsed like a deck of cards.
Pakistan was reduced to 91/5 in 12.3 overs as Zampa (2/11) thrashed Babar in the 13th over. In the end, Shaheen Afridi (16 off 12) and Irfan Khan (10 off 8) made some helpful cameos to help their team over 100. Australia was given a below-par target to chase in order to finish a whitewash after Pakistan was ultimately swept out for 118.
Stoinis wreaks havoc on Pakistan
Early in the chase, Australia lost Jake Fraser-McGurk (18 off 11) and Matthew Short (2 off 4), leaving them reeling at 30/2 in 3.3 overs. Marcus Stoinis, who took his time and scored nine runs off ten balls, was brought to the crease by their dismissals. He then launched himself into beast mode against Haris Rauf in the ninth over, hitting him for two fours and as many sixes.
In the eleventh over, he further destroyed Shaheen Afridi, hitting him for two sixes and a boundary to reach his half-century off 22 balls. In the 12th over, he ended the match by hitting Abbas Afridi for a maximum off his opening delivery. Australia won when he was dismissed on a waist-high no-ball on the third delivery.
With Stoinis still undefeated at 61* (27), the hosts easily chased down the mark in 11.2 overs. Spencer Johnson won Player of the Series after taking eight wickets in three games, while the all-rounder won Player of the Match for his incredible half-century.
