Australia have been handed the worst possible conclusion to their World Cup warm-up, suffering their heaviest ever T20 international defeat in a third successive morale-sapping capitulation to Pakistan.
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Still wounded from a record-breaking 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 their landmark 111-run loss on the same ground.
Having lost the toss again, Australia had to toil once more as Pakistan racked up 6-207, 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 heaviest loss, in terms of runs, in all their 222 T20 internationals stretching back over 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'd 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," admitted Marsh, whose dismissal for just 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," he added, trying to put a brave face on the record loss.
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 again looked against high-quality tweakers, with only Marcus Stoinis (23), Cameron Green (22) and Josh Philippe (14), who's not in the squad, reaching double figures.
Already without injured Test captain Pat Cummins, it all again seemed to show why Australia really could have done with the experience, batting excellence and leadership of the overlooked Steve Smith at a World Cup where spin could prove key in both Sri Lanka and India.
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 new boy Renshaw has begun his T20I career with innings of 15, 2 and 1 to take into the World Cup, while Cooper Connolly has scored just one run and suffered three dismissals while facing just 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 arch-rivals India in Sri Lanka in a fortnight, a move that's sent shockwaves through the tournament.
But Marsh wouldn't be drawn on the issue. "I don't really have a comment on that," he said. "We're going to the World Cup to focus on what we're doing and we'll let that stuff take care of itself."
Australian Associated Press
