PAK vs AUS, 5th T20I, Review: Fakhar Zaman and Afridi lead the way in Pakistan's 45-run win

It was a thoroughly professional performance from the World No.1 side in the T20Is.

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Fakhar Zaman
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Fakhar Zaman plays a shot. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Pakistan defeated Australia by 45 runs in the ongoing T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe on the back of brilliant performances from Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Afridi. Very few had given them a chance after the way they were folded in the last encounter between the two sides. But the Men in Green came back strongly proving that the poor performance was only a one-off and are now raring to face the same side in the final on Sunday.

After losing the toss, Pakistan lost Haris Sohail as their search for the better opening partner to Zaman continues. But Hussain Talat came in and played a perfect supporting role to the left-hander. Fakhar played shots freely against the fiery Aussie pacers and got his team off to a great start. 72 runs were added for the second wicket before Glenn Maxwell sent back Talat in the 9th over even as the skipper Sarfraz Ahmed was also not able to stay in the middle for long.

But the dynamic opener was making sure that the run-rate of his never dropped. He went on to smash 73 runs off just 42 balls and whacked 9 fours and 3 sixes during his knock. Eventually, he was dismissed in the 13th over Marcus Stoinis after which Australia thought to arrest the run-flow. But the experience of Shoaib Malik was too good for them and he was joined by Asif Ali as the duo made sure that the efforts of Fakhar didn’t go in vain.

While Malik scored 27 off just 15 balls, the latter remained unbeaten with an enterprising inning of 37 runs facing only 18 cherries. Though they lost a few wickets towards the end of the innings, Pakistan posted a huge total of 194 runs on the board.

Afridi shines in the defence

Australia needed Aaron Finch to go bonkers once again like the previous two matches if they had to chase down the big total. But he was sent back by the pace of Shaheen Afridi in the fifth over after which Travis Head also followed suit in the next over as Faheem Ashraf pinned him in front of the stumps. Glenn Maxwell wasted one of his numerous chances to impress once again and Nic Maddinson also was dismissed in quick succession to leave the side reeling at 75/5.

It was only a matter of time when the Men in Yellow would have got bowled out, but the duo of Alex Carey and Ashton Agar played well and took the game deep. The way the former was batting, many were left perplexed for him sending down the order to bat. D’Arcy Short who has opened so far in this series has totally struggled and today was no different as he laboured his way to 28 runs facing 34 balls which is unacceptable in T20 cricket.

Carey, on the other hand, was more proactive in his approach despite the defeat was inevitable for his team. He played shots authoritatively and scored 37 runs during his stay in the middle. Australia could eventually only reach 149 runs after 20 overs and handed over the game to Pakistan by 45 runs. They will face Zimbabwe now on Friday before the final and look to get their mojo back.

Brief Scores

Pakistan 194/7 after 20 overs (F Zaman 73, A Ali 37*; A Tye 3/35, J Richardson 2/43)

Australia 149/7 after 20 overs (A Carey 37; S Afridi 3/37)

Result: Pakistan won by 45 runs

Man of the Match: Fakhar Zaman

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