Sizzling Stanlake, fiery Finch lead Aussies to big win

The Result: Pakistan 116 (Shadab 29, Asif 22; Stanlake 4-8) lost to Australia 1-117 (Finch 68*, Head 20*; Hasan 1-18) by nine wickets with 55 balls remaining

The match in a tweet: Big Billy sets Pakistan up with the ball, for captain Finchy to knock them down with the bat in the blink on an eye in Harare #PAKvAUS

Billy’s best ever: Billy Stanlake was simply unstoppable and unplayable in the opening match at the Harare Sports Club. He delivered Australia’s most economical figures ever in a mne's T20I and the second-best figures by an Australian man overall in a remarkable display of pace, bounce and accuracy. He claimed 4-8 from his four overs, combining with Aaron Finch at first slip for a trio of scalps and Alex Carey for one, dealing exclusively behind the wicket. His 24 balls delivered 18 dot balls in one of the best bowling displays T20 International cricket has ever seen.

Stanlake sizzles with fiery T20 spell

Finch finishes fast: Needing only 117 for victory, Aaron Finch wasted no time in chasing down the modest total, blasting four fours and six maximums in his 68 not out. He smashed two huge sixes in a row, one ending up in the Australian change rooms, on the way to a 27-ball half-century. Should his form continue in this T20 tri-series, Australia will be a huge chance to reclaim the T20 World No.1 ranking off Pakistan.

Stoinis’ last laugh: It’s never nice being hit out of the ground and despite Harare’s short boundaries, Asif Ali’s six off Marcus Stoinis would likely have cleared any ground such was the magnitude of the blow. But Stoinis put his head down and continued on, knocking out Asif’s off-stump just two balls later and giving him a send off to remember.

The streaks: Australia's win snapped an nine-game losing streak that stretched back to the second Test in South Africa in March and was Justin Langer's first win since taking over as full-time head coach. Meanwhile, Pakistan's defeat ruined their run of eight straight T20I victories.

The next stop: Australia have one night to rest and recover before playing Zimbabwe at the same venue on Tuesday. The hectic nature of this tri-series will see six matches played in six days ahead of the final on Sunday.

Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), D'Arcy Short, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Nic Maddinson, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake #PAKvAUS July 2, 2018

Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Hussain Talat, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (c/wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Usman Khan #PAKvAUS July 2, 2018

All matches in the T20 tri-series will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox Sports while there will be live scores, highlights and all the latest news on cricket.com.au

Qantas Tour of Zimbabwe

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

Pakistan squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sahibzada Farhan.

Zimbabwe squad: Hamilton Masakadza (c), Cephas Zhuwao, Chamu Chibhabha, Brian Chari, Tarisai Musakanda, Malcolm Waller, PJ Moor, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Mpofu, Ryan Burl, Solomon Mire, Wellington Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Ryan Murray

July 1: Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 74 runs

July 2: Pakistan vs Australia

July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe

July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

July 5: Pakistan vs Australia

July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe

July 8: Final