LAHORE (Kashmir English): Pakistan set a 208-run target for Australia following Saim Ayub and Babar Azam’s half-centuries after opting to bat first in the third and final T20I at Gaddafi Stadium here on Sunday.
Pakistan’s decision to bat first proved good as the side scored 207/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Men in Green had a poor start to their innings as they lost their opener, Sahibzada Farhan (10), in the second over with just 14 runs on the board.
His dismissal paved the way for in-form Agha to come out at No.3, but he failed to impress as he fell for a three-ball five to Ben Dwarshuis, bringing the total down to 34/2 in 3.4 overs.
Following the early setbacks, experienced Babar joined Saim in the middle, and the duo turned the tide in Pakistan’s favour by putting together a 69-run partnership for the third wicket.
The stand eventually ended on the first delivery of the 12th over when Saim fell victim to Matthew Kuhnemann after scoring 56 off 37 deliveries with the help of six fours and two sixes.
Babar and Khawaja Nafay contributed a brief 28-run partnership for the fourth wicket, which was majorly dominated by the youngster, who made a 12-ball 21, hitting two sixes and a four.
Shadab’s performance in T20I
All-rounder Shadab Khan, batting at No.6 strengthened Pakistan’s command with a swashbuckling 46-run cameo, coming off just 19 deliveries, featuring seven boundaries, including five sixes.
Shadab also shared a 57-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Babar, who remained unbeaten with a 36-ball 50, featuring three fours and a six.
Ben Dwarshuis was the standout bowler for Australia, taking two wickets for 39 runs in his four overs.
