Following story was posted prior to the beginning of Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series Final between Pakistan and Australia at Harare on July 8, 2018
Though themselves being knocked out of the T20I Tri-Series, Zimbabwe will host Pakistan and Australia for the final of the Competition on Sunday.
Zimbabwe reached inches close to victory against Australia at Harare Sports Club on July 6 but couldn’t make it, losing the last chance of registering a sole victory in the Series. The Host suffered defeat in all four T20Is, they played against Pakistan and Australia.
However, both Pakistan and Australia remained equally competitive and beat each other once, besides owning a victory over each other as well.
In their first bilateral encounter in the three-nation T20 Series, Australia blew apart Pakistan and seized a thumbing nine-wicket victory against the T20 top-ranked Team.
But in their second battle, Pakistan reciprocated and thrashed the Aussies. Courtesy Fakhar Zaman’s 73 runs, Pakistan won the match by 45 runs.
Both Pakistan and Australia commenced their campaigns in Zimbabwe, holding first and second positions respectively in ICC T20I Ranking. But back to back victories over Ireland and England helped India to supersede Australia for the second spot.
Irrespective of which side holds the final trophy in Harare today, Pakistan will yet remain the top ranked T20 team in the ICC Ranking.
For the final, Pakistan Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has already announced that Sahibzada Farhan will make his T20I debut, replacing Haris Sohail. While the rest of the squad – which was deployed against Australia on July 5 – will remain unchanged.
Pakistan’s T20I record since September 2016 has been exceptional, clearly indicating why green shirts are occupying the top spot in ICC T20 Ranking. Out of their 26 T20 Internationals they played during this period, Pakistan won 22 whereas lost only 4.
