Australia have been handed the worst possible conclusion to their World Cup warmup, suffering their heaviest T20 international defeat in a third successive morale-sapping capitulation to Pakistan.
Still wounded from a 90-run defeat 24 hours earlier at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium – their worst loss to Pakistan – it only got even more dire for Mitch Marsh’s side on Sunday as they were spun to a record-breaking 111-run loss on the same ground.
Having lost the toss, Australia had to toil once more as Pakistan racked up 207-6, their highest ever total in a T20 against Australia.
It featured half-centuries from their sizzling opener Saim Ayub (56 off 37 balls) and the much-maligned Babar Azam (50no off 36) before a late 19-ball rampage from Shadab Khan (46).
In reply, Australia folded pitifully for just 96 off 16.5 tortuous overs, strangled once again by Pakistan’s spinners, led by wily left-armer Mohammad Nawaz, who ended up with 5-18 off his four overs.
It resulted in the heaviest loss, in terms of runs, in all their 222 T20 internationals stretching back 21 years, surpassing their 100-run loss to England at Southampton in the format’s infancy back in 2005.
Just to put a tin hat on their awful day, Australia’s star spinner Adam Zampa, who had earlier bowled two overs for 20 runs, didn’t bat as he was struggling with a groin niggle, but it was later reported to be only a precautionary move.
“Pakistan certainly outplayed us throughout the whole series,” said Marsh, whose dismissal for one initiated the rout.
“Chasing is hard on that surface and you need partnerships. We will take learnings from that. We will certainly address this series and look forward to the World Cup.”
But even though his inexperienced side should be bolstered going into their first World Cup match in Sri Lanka in 10 days’ time with the return of Glenn Maxwell, Tim David and Josh Hazlewood, there was no hiding from the humiliation of the past four days.
Most alarming, with Sri Lanka’s similarly spin-friendly wickets awaiting, was just how at sea their batters looked against high-quality tweakers, with only Marcus Stoinis (23), Cameron Green (22) and Josh Philippe (14), who is not in the World Cup squad, reaching double figures.
Already without injured Test captain Pat Cummins, it seemed to show why Australia could have done with the experience, batting excellence and leadership of the overlooked Steve Smith at a World Cup where spin could prove key.
Debutant Matt Renshaw had another tough day, bowled when trying to ramp Shaheen Shah Afridi, who ensured it wasn’t solely a spin show as he added that wicket to the scalp of Marsh, who he bowled with a beauty that cut back on just the fourth ball of the innings.
It meant Renshaw has begun his T20I career with innings of 15, two and one to take into the World Cup, while Cooper Connolly has scored just one run and suffered three dismissals while facing eight balls. This time, he got flummoxed by Nawaz and was stumped.
It proved a remarkable day for Nawaz, who enjoyed two separate overs in which he snaffled two wickets. The key over was the 10th, when he got rid of Australia’s two top-scorers Stoinis and Green, the latter being deceived by a superb turner.
The match was also overshadowed later by news that Pakistan are planning to boycott their match against India in Sri Lanka in a fortnight.
Before the third match Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq hit back after his bowling action appeared to be mocked by Green in the second T20I.
Green (35 off 20) top-scored in Australia’s failed chase, then seemed to mimic Tariq’s sidearm, slinging action as he walked into the dugout having fallen to the spinner.
Tariq later responded in an Instagram post, sharing a video of a child crying with the caption: “After getting out”.
There is no indication that officials or the Australian team have lodged a complaint.