TWENTY20 TRI-SERIES, Australia v Pakistan at Harare — A BRUTAL spell of fast bowling from Billy Stanlake and brilliant day in the field and with the bat from Aaron Finch has helped Australia end its nine-match losing streak across all formats.

Australia fired the world’s best Twenty20 International team a warning in its first match of the tri-series in Zimbabwe, beating Pakistan by nine wickets with 9.1 overs – 55 balls – to spare.

It was an outstanding performance which captain Finch had his fingerprints all over, but it was Stanlake’s fiery spell with the new ball that inspired the victory after Australia elected to bowl first.

Watch the T20 Tri Series LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS. SIGN UP NOW >

The tall timber looked ominous from the get-go, with Mohammad Hafeez surprised by Stanlake’s bounce and movement on the very first ball. Two deliveries later that combination of bounce and seam proved Hafeez’s undoing, with Finch taking a fine catch first slip. It was the first of three catches Finch would take off the quick’s bowling, as Stanlake went on to take 4-8 off his four overs.

Billy Stanlake struck in each of his four overs. Source: AP

The Queenslander struck in each of his four overs, removing Hussain Talat (10) in his second thanks to a stunning catch from Finch. Talant gloved a short ball to the vacant deep gully region, only for Finch to sprint from slip to take a low catch down low with his left.

READ MORE

STANLAKE RUNS RIOT AFTER SECOND VERSE STUMPS AUSTRALIA

PAKISTAN CRUSH ZIMBABWE IN TRI-SERIES OPENER

Stanlake then picked up a fortunate third wicket in his third over, with opener Fakhar Zaman (6) adjudged caught behind off a ball down the leg side. Zaman looked unhappy with the decision but could do nothing about it as DRS is not being used this series.

With Pakistan on the ropes, Finch gave Stanlake a fourth straight over and he was rewarded with the wicket of Pakistani captain Sarfraz Ahmed (4). Once again Finch was involved in the dismissal, taking a diving catch to his right at first slip.

Aaron Finch hit six sixes. Source: AP

By the end of Stanlake’s spell, Pakistan had been reduced to 4-26 and had already used up seven overs. And things quickly got worse for Sarfraz’s side, with the Pakistanis gifting Australia another wicket with an awful piece of running. Having pulled Marcus Stoinis to deep square leg, Asif Ali set off for two runs only to abort the second, leaving Shoaib Malik (13) stranded mid-pitch.

In Stoinis’ next over he bowled Asif (22), with the Pakistani paying the price for hanging back in his crease.

Shadab Khan (29) and Faheem Ashraf (21) did their best to drag Pakistan to a competitive total, but Sarfraz’s team failed to see out the full 20 overs, with Andrew Tye (3-38 off 3.5) taking three wickets in the final over.

Australia made short work of the chase thanks to a rapid and unbeaten 68 off 33 from Finch, who hit six sixes and four fours to finish the match with plenty of time to spare.

The fall of D’Arcy Short (15) to Hasan Ali (1-18 off 2.0) was the only wicket Pakistan got to celebrate, with Travis Head finishing not out on 20.

Australia can put one foot in the tri-series final with victory over hosts Zimbabwe on Tuesday (6pm EDT), and if it wins its three remaining group-stage matches it will move to the top of the ICC Twenty20 rankings for the first time ever, dethroning current No.1 Pakistan.

RE-LIVE THE MATCH IN OUR LIVE BLOG BELOW

Tap here if you cannot see the blog