The China Mail - Resurgent Pakistan seal T20 sweep of Australia

Ayub hit 56 off 37 balls at the top of the order and Azam added an unbeaten 50 as Pakistan posted 207-6 before spinner Nawaz's career-best 5-18 helped skittle Australia for 96 in Lahore.

The series gives Pakistan another T20 whitewash of Australia, following a 2–0 victory in 2010 and a 3–0 sweep in 2018, providing a timely boost ahead of next week's T20 World Cup. The tournament, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, begins on February 7.

Australia, who lost the first match by 22 runs and the second by 90, were jolted early when skipper Mitchell Marsh was bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi for one.

Nawaz removed the other opener Matthew Short cheaply and also accounted for Cameron Green (22) and Marcus Stoinis (23). Shaheen, who took 2-16, bowled Matt Renshaw as Australia slumped to 63-5.

Nawaz then dismissed Josh Philippe for 14 and Cooper Connolly without scoring to improve on his previous best T20I figures of 5-19 against Afghanistan in Sharjah last year.

Pakistan, who won the toss and batted for the third time in a row, were led by Ayub and Azam.

Once opener Fakhar Zaman went for 10 and Salman Agha for five, Ayub and Azam steadied the innings during their third-wicket stand of 69 off 45 balls.

Ayub smashed two sixes and six fours in his sixth T20I fifty while Azam's knock included a six and three fours.

Shadab Khan ignited the innings with a blistering 46 off just 19 balls, hammering five sixes and two fours as he added 57 from 28 deliveries with Azam. Pakistan piled on 70 runs in the final five overs to surge to a commanding total.

P.Deng--ThChM