Billy Stanlake’s lethal bowling helped Australia to thrash Pakistan by 9 wickets (with 55 balls to remaining) in the second T20I of the ongoing T20I tri-nation series at Harare on Monday. Pakistan was bowled out for just 116 runs in 19.5 overs while Australia chased down the target in just 10.5 overs after losing only their opener D’Arcy Short.

Australian captain Aaron Finch decided to field first after winning the toss. Pacer Stanlake provided a superb start for Australia as Pakistan was on 24/4. At next, Pakistan batsmen tried hard to overcome that moment, but other Australian bowlers didn’t allow them.

Only three Pakistan batsmen crossed the 20-run marks and they were Asif Ali (22), Shadab Khan (29) and Faheem Ashraf (21).

Stanlake had a lethal bowling figure of 4-0-8-4 while Andrew Tye (3/38) bagged three wickets for 38 runs. Also, Jhye Richardson (1/22) and Marcus Stoinis (1/17) were the other Australian bowlers to claim a wicket.

In reply, Australia chased down the target comfortably in 10.5 overs after losing their only wicket of the opener D’Arcy Short (15) who was dismissed by Hasan Ali (1/18). Australian skipper Aaron Finch played the major role to chase a low target as he scored an unbeaten 68 off just 33 balls (4 fours and 6 sixes). Also, Travis Head was not out for 20 runs off 18 balls.

Brief Scores: Pakistan – 116 in 19.5 overs (Shadab Khan 29, Asif Ali 22; Billy Stanlake 4/8)

Australia – 117/1 in 10.5 overs (Aaron Finch 68*, Travis Head 20*; Hasan Ali 1/18)

Result – Australia won by 9 wickets

Important stats highlights of the match:

• 116 was Pakistan’s third lowest completed T20I total against Australia. Their two lowest completed T20I totals in this list are 74 (at Dubai, DSC on September 10, 2012) and 96/9 (at Dubai, DSC on October 5, 2014).
• Australian pacer Billy Stanlake had a bowling figure of 4-0-8-4. It was the second-best T20I bowling figure by an Australian bowler. The record is 4-0-27-5 by James Faulkner against Pakistan at Mohali on March 25, 2016.
• Australia won the match by 9 wickets with 55 balls to spare. It is their second largest T20I victory by the balls remaining in the second innings. Their record is winning by 10 wickets with 58 balls to remain against Sri Lanka at Cape Town on September 20, 2007.
• Also, it is the largest T20I victory (by the balls remaining in the second innings) against Pakistan. The previous record holder was South Africa who had won by 10 wickets with 51 balls to spare at Johannesburg on February 2, 2007.
• Pakistan’s first defeat in their last nine T20I games. Their previous T20I defeat was against New Zealand at Wellington on January 22, 2018. The eight consecutive T20I victories are the record of Pakistan’s most number of consecutive T20I victory.