Australia were beaten by Pakistan in a record T20 loss ahead of the World Cup

Pakistan beat Australia by 111 runs in Lahore to seal a 3-0 series defeat and inflict the tourists’ heaviest defeat in T20 international matches.

The hosts scored 207-6, with Saim Ayub and Babar Azam both scoring half-centuries, while Shadab Khan scored 46 off 19 balls.

Spinner Muhammad Nawaz then took career-best figures of 5 for 18 as Australia were bundled out for just 96 in 16.5 overs.

The margin was 11 points worse than Australia’s previous record defeat, when they thrashed England by 100 runs in their second ever T20 international in 2005.

Sunday’s loss meant the tourists failed to chase down their target for the third match in a row, having suffered defeats by 90 and 22 runs earlier in the week.

Marcus Stoinis top-scored with 23 off 22 deliveries, and was one of only three Australian batsmen to reach double figures.

Earlier, Sime (56) and Babar (50 not out) scored 69 runs for the third wicket as the hosts reached a competitive score after winning the toss and choosing to bat.

It was Babar’s first significant result since leaving the Big Bash League early, after attracting criticism for his slow scoring in his first season in the competition.

Both teams have now completed their preparations for the T20 World Cup, with Australia starting against Ireland on Wednesday 11 February.

Pakistan open the match with a match against Netherlands on Saturday, but the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that they will not complete their group stage match against India on Sunday, February 15.