After completing the whitewash in the three-match T20I series against Australia in UAE (won by the 3-0 margin), Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed credited the entire team for this result.
Pakistan totally dominated in the T20I series. Already securing this series by the 2-0 lead, Pakistan beat Australia once again in the third T20I by 33 runs. While Pakistan scored 150/5 at the end of 20 overs, Australia was bundled out for just 117 runs (19.1 overs).
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The no.1 T20I ranked team Pakistan hasn’t lost any bilateral T20I series yet under Sarfraz Ahmed’s captaincy. It was Pakistan’s 10th successive T20I series victory.
After winning the T20I series dominantly, Sarfraz said, “I would say that all the boys have worked hard in all facets, the result is just the reward. Credit goes to the entire team. We outclassed them in every department. In this format, you cannot relax. We try to keep the momentum going. Whoever has got an opportunity has done well. The way we bowled and took our catches was superb tonight.”
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The former no.1 T20I ranked batsman Babar Azam was in the brilliant form in this T20I series as he finished as the leading run-scorer with 163 runs (average 81.50). In this T20I series, the Pakistan right-handed batsman Babar scored 68*, 45 and 50 runs respectively. Due to his dominant batting performances in this T20I series, Babar won the Player of the Series award at the end.
Talking about his performances in this T20I series, Babar said, “When you are in form, score as many as you can. I try to keep my focus and perform in every game. I don’t get satisfied if I’ve performed in one match. My role is that of an anchor, who has to bat through. I try to do that.”
Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan bowled brilliantly in the third T20I and won the Player of the Match award after finishing the game with the bowling figure of 4-0-19-3.
After the match, Shadab said, “Didn’t try to do something extra, that was the key. There was lot more grip in the previous game, today the ball was skidding through. I bowl according to situations.”
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On the other hand, Australian skipper Aaron Finch feels they had a chance in all three games but failed to capitalize those. While he is happy with the bowlers’ efforts in this T20I series, he feels devastated to give Pakistan soft wickets.
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Finch said at the end of the T20I series, “I think we had a chance in all three games. Throughout the series, we had lack of partnerships. Chasing under 150, you back your batsmen to get the side over the line. They are a very good fielding side. Every time you give them soft wickets, it is devastating.
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“Our bowlers did well. Restricting them under 150-160 in all the matches was a really good effort. Batting against spin is something we have to work on. It’s going to be a tough series (against South Africa and India). We have to improve quickly.”
