The third match of the T20I series is a dead rubber after Pakistan completed the series victory with a tense 11-run win in Dubai.
Australia showed a lot more fight on a sluggish pitch but their top-order failed them yet again.
Pakistan v Australia | Sunday, 28 October | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 18:00
To Win Match
Pakistan 72/100
Tie 35/1
Australia 23/20
Pakistan
Imad Wasim has been a revelation since returning to the T20I side and Australia have not been able to find an answer to his slow left-armers with the new ball. The batting effort for Pakistan has been carried by Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez, who shared critical partnerships in both of the opening two matches.
Pakistan were more intense in the field in the second match but skipper Sarfraz Ahmed cannot have been happy with seeing Glenn Maxwell dropped twice on his way to a half-ton in Dubai.
The bowling attack have been Pakistan’s great strength during their rise to T20I dominance and teenaged quick Shaheen Afridi has been no exception. Apart from a tendency to drag his bouncers down the leg-side to right-handers the young quick has demonstrated excellent temperament and is one to watch for the future.
Opener Fakhar Zaman hasn’t quite had the impact he would have liked in this series – and he will be keen to end the series with a bang.
Australia
Australia quite clearly have major top-order troubles across all three formats and it starts right at the top. Skipper Aaron Finch has suffered a dip in form at the worst possible time while his opening partner D’Arcy Short has been both scratchy at the crease and a little unlucky.
The middle-order currently has a makeshift look to it with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh in the number four position. Chris Lynn at number three has also struggled to find the kind of touch that has made him one of the most sought-after T20 batsmen in the world.
Nathan Coulter-Nile has bowled well for Australia and been a real surprise with the bat in hand as well – and so far has been the tourists’ best player in the shortest format.
Australia tried to adjust their style to the slower pitches found in the UAE at this time of year but haven’t been able to keep the scoreboard ticking over – and as a result have put themselves under pressure. Maxwell’s 50 in the second match does provide Australia with a blueprint for batting in Dubai but they have just two days to formulate some new plans.
Verdict: Pakistan 72/100
Australia are shambolic right now and, unless one of their X-factor players can fire, they will be whitewashed by Pakistan.
