LAHORE: Saim Ayub and the three old warhorses – Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz – combined to give Pakistan a 111-run victory over Australia in the third and final T20I at Lahore on Sunday to sweep the series 3-0. Both sides will now travel to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where Pakistan will open their campaign against the Netherlands on 6 February and Australia will meet Ireland on 11 February.

Half-centuries by Saim Ayub and Babar Azam, and quickfire knocks by Shadab Khan and Khawaja Nafay, lifted Pakistan to 207 for six. Mohammad Nawaz then produced his career-best bowling as Australia plummeted to 96 all-out with over three overs to spare. This was Pakistan’s biggest victory over Australia by runs, improving upon their 90-run victory on Saturday.

Saim scored 56 – his 6th half-century in 60 matches – from 37 balls with six fours and two sixes, and Babar scored 50 not out—his 38th half-century in 138 matches. Both batters joined after Fakhar Zaman (10) and Salman Ali Agha (3) had returned to the dressing room at a total of 34; they were separated at 103 after adding 69 runs from 45 balls.

Babar then added 28 runs from 17 balls for the fourth wicket with Nafay (21, 12b, 1 x 4, 2 x 6) and 57 runs from 28 balls for the fifth wicket with Shadab Khan, who dominated the partnership by scoring 46 from 19 balls with two fours and five sixes.

After Pakistan scored 97 for two in the first half of the innings, they collected 110 runs in the second half.

Australia, chasing 208 for victory, slipped from 60 for three in nine overs to 96 all-out in 16.5 overs, with Mohammad Nawaz collecting four of the last seven wickets to fall to finish with figures of 4-0-16-5: his maiden five-fer. Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed two wickets, while Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah picked up one wicket apiece.

Nawaz’s scalps included Matthew Short (2), Cameron Green (22), Marcus Stoinis (22), Josh Philippe (14), and Cooper Connolly (0).

Scores in brief

Match 3 – Pakistan beat Australia by 111 runs

Pakistan 207-6, 20 overs (Saim Ayub 56, Babar Azam 50 not out, Shadab Khan 46, Khawaja Nafay 21; Ben Dwarshuis 2-39)

Australia 96 all-out, 16.5 overs (Marcus Stoinis 23, Cameron Green 22; Mohammad Nawaz 5-16, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-16)

Player of the match – Mohammad Nawaz (Pakistan)

Player of the series – Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan)