T20 tri-series: Pakistan beat Australia by 45 runs

HARARE - Pakistan on Thursday beat Australia by 45 runs in fifth match of the T20 tri-series being played in Zimbabwe.

Pakistan had set a reasonable target of 194 runs against Australia which could manage to score 149 runs by losing seven wickets.

Pakistani opener Fakhar Zaman thrashed the Aussies with a remarkable 73 runs followed by Asif Ali who contributed 37 to the total.

On the other hand, Australia managed to send 7 Pakistani players to the pavilion, with Andrew Tye, taking 3 wickets.

After winning both their first T20I matches in the tri-series, Australia were on a roll at the moment. The side has been extremely dominant, defeating Pakistan by 9 wickets, followed by a 100-run over Zimbabwe.

On the other hand, Pakistan showed their dominant side against Zimbabwe as they defeated the hosts by 6 wickets to clinch a spot in the tri-series final.

Pakistan and Australia will face each other in the final and this match is an opportunity for both the teams to test their muscles before the big match.

SQUAD

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hussain Talat, Sarfraz Ahmed (capt, wk), Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Usman Khan

Australia: Aaron Finch (capt), D Arcy Short, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Nic Maddinson, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake