Hardie, Zampa, and Stoinis Lead Australia to Dominant Win Over Pakistan in Final T20I

Australia cruised to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final T20I in Hobart, thanks to a clinical bowling display led by Aaron Hardie (3-21) and Adam Zampa (2-11), followed by an explosive innings from Marcus Stoinis (61* off 27).

Pakistan, opting to bat first, got off to a strong start, reaching 58/1 in the PowerPlay. However, their innings took a dramatic turn as they collapsed to a modest total of just 117. Australia did lose a few wickets in the chase but never looked in any real danger, with Stoinis' aggressive knock ensuring that the game was wrapped up in just 18.4 overs, with 52 balls to spare.

In the early stages, Pakistan’s batsmen appeared to be in control. Babar Azam, in particular, began with his characteristic elegance, hitting a series of delightful boundaries. His partner, Sahibzada Farhan, also found the ropes before being dismissed by the extra bounce from Spencer Johnson. Pakistan, missing their regular skipper Mohammad Rizwan, brought in Haseebullah at No.3, but the youngster struggled, eventually falling to Zampa’s spin.

This wicket triggered a dramatic collapse, with Hardie and Zampa taking control. Hardie removed Usman Khan and Agha Salman in quick succession, while Zampa produced a stunning delivery to bowl out Babar Azam, leaving Pakistan in disarray. Despite some late resistance from Jahandad Khan and Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan could only manage to reach 117, a disappointing total considering their strong start.

Australia’s chase was not without its hiccups. Openers Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk were dismissed cheaply, both falling to slower balls from Pakistan’s seamers. But Stoinis, promoted to No.4, was in imperious form. He unleashed a flurry of boundaries, taking charge of the chase and leaving no doubt about the result. Despite a brief struggle from captain Josh Inglis, Stoinis’ blitzkrieg saw Australia home in a dominant performance.

This victory capped off a clinical series win for Australia, as Hardie, Zampa, and Stoinis played key roles in ensuring their team finished strong. For Pakistan, it was a disappointing end to a series that saw them fail to capitalize on early advantages, especially with the bat.

Reference from:- https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/132458/hardie-zampa-and-stoinis-set-up-clinical-win