AUS vs PAK: Marcus Stoinis Blitz Powers Australia to a Series Whitewash Against Pakistan

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AUS vs PAK: Australia completed a dominant 3-0 clean sweep over Pakistan with a resounding seven-wicket victory in the third T20I at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Marcus Stoinis' blistering 27-ball unbeaten 61, punctuated by towering sixes and brutal power-hitting, was the centrepiece of Australia's commanding chase of 118, achieved with 52 balls to spare.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan seemed poised for a solid total after a brisk start from Babar Azam and Haseebullah Khan, who propelled the score to 58/1 in the Powerplay. However, Adam Zampa's incisive leg-spin derailed their momentum.

He struck with his fifth ball, dismissing Haseebullah, and later uprooted Babar with a yorker for 41. Zampa finished with a career-best 2/11 from four overs. Aaron Hardie, playing his first series at home, was equally impressive. The right-arm quick exploited Pakistan's middle-order fragility, claiming 3/17, including a maiden over.

His victims included stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha and lower-order batters Usman Khan and Abbas Afridi. Support came from Spencer Johnson (2/24), Xavier Bartlett (1/25), and Nathan Ellis (1/20) as Pakistan crumbled to 117 in 18.1 overs, losing nine wickets for just 56 runs after the Powerplay.

Australia's chase began with a stutter as Matt Short (4) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (18) fell cheaply. Skipper Josh Inglis anchored the innings with a measured 27, but the spotlight belonged to Stoinis. The all-rounder launched an assault in the ninth over, hammering 20 runs off Haris Rauf, including a colossal six that cleared the members' stand roof.

Stoinis continued the carnage against Shaheen Afridi, peppering the Ricky Ponting Stand with a series of breathtaking hits. His half-century came off just 23 deliveries, and he finished with five sixes and as many fours, ensuring Australia's comfortable victory. The match ended anti-climatically when Stoinis, caught at deep square leg with scores tied, was reprieved due to a no-ball.

With this emphatic win, Australia asserted their dominance in the T20I series, showcasing a lethal combination of disciplined bowling and explosive batting. For Pakistan, it marked a disappointing conclusion to their tour despite their historic ODI series triumph earlier.