Pakistan crush Australia

Pakistan's opener Fakhar Zaman blazed his way to a career-best 73 as his side completed a clinical 45-run victory over Australia on Thursday in the Twenty20 tri-series in Zimbabwe.

Pakistan batted first, with Zaman's knock helping his side race to 194 for 7.

Then left-arm seamer Shaheen Afridi starred with three wickets as Pakistan's bowlers held Australia to 149 for 7 in a match which was effectively a dress rehearsal for Sunday's final.

Pakistan lost Haris Sohail for a golden duck after being put in to bat on a chilly midwinter morning in Harare, but Zaman and Hussain Talat wrested back control  with a rapid 72-run stand.

Talat cracked three fours and a six before playing one shot too many to be bowled by Glenn Maxwell's offspin.

Zaman continued to middle his aggressive strokes and went to a 33-ball 50, his third for Pakistan in this format, with a slog sweep for six, while another big hit off Andrew Tye's seamers took the batsman past his previous best of 61.

SCORES IN BRIEF

PAKISTAN: 194 for 7 in 20 overs (Zaman 73, Talat 30, Malik 27, Ali 37 not out; Richardson 2-43, Tye 3-35)

AUSTRALIA: 149 for 7 in 20 overs (Short 28, Carey 37 not out 37; Afridi 3-37)

Result: Pakistan won by 45 runs.