Pakistan concluded the Australia tour of Pakistan 2026 with a convincing 111-run win in the third T20I at Gaddafi Stadium. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Pakistan showcased a strong performance that sealed a 3-0 series victory.
Shadab Khan’s Powerful Innings Leads Pakistan to a Big Score
Pakistan set a challenging target of 207/6 in their 20 overs, with a combination of solid starts and a strong finish. After losing an early wicket, Saim Ayub stabilized the innings, scoring 56 runs off 37 balls, which included six fours and two sixes. Babar Azam added a steady 50 runs off 36 balls, keeping the scoreboard moving.
The middle and lower order accelerated the innings effectively. Khawaja Nafay contributed a quick 21 runs off 12 balls, but it was Shadab Khan who made the biggest impact with a rapid 46 runs off just 19 balls, hitting five sixes that unsettled the Australian bowlers. Although Ben Dwarshuis took two wickets and Matthew Kuhnemann kept things in check for a time, Australia found it tough to manage the late surge from Pakistan.
Mohammad Nawaz’s Five Wickets Undermine Australia’s Chase
In response to a challenging target of 208, Australia struggled and were bowled out for just 96 runs in 16.5 overs. The top order faltered early, with Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Short departing quickly, putting Australia in a difficult position. Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis tried to stabilize the batting with scores of 22 and 23, respectively, but wickets fell regularly, hindering their recovery.
Pakistan’s bowlers were relentless, applying pressure with accurate bowling and variations. Mohammad Nawaz delivered an exceptional performance, taking 5 wickets for only 18 runs, effectively dismantling Australia’s middle and lower order. Shaheen Afridi made early breakthroughs, while Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed also contributed to ensure Australia had no chances of escaping defeat.
