Finch posts highest ever T20I score

Aaron Finch has continued his incredible T20I form, breaking his own record for highest ever score in the format with a stunning 172 from 76 deliveries in Harare.

Sent in to bat by Zimbabwe in Australia's second match of the T20 tri-series, opener Finch unleashed on the depleted hosts, racing to a half-century from 22 deliveries before bringing up his second T20I century from 50 balls.

Zimbabwe had no answers for the powerful right-hander, who struck a maximum in the 19th over to better his previous mark of 156, scored against England in 2013, as Australia posted 2-229.

Together with opening partner D'Arcy Short, who struck his own 46 from 42, Australia set a new mark for highest partnership in men's T20Is, surpassing the previous record of 171 set by Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson against Pakistan in 2016.

They were on track to become the first men's team to bat through 20 overs without losing a wicket, before Short was dismissed with four balls remaining.

Finch's blitz finally ended in bizarre circumstances, with the Australian skipper out hit wicket chasing a wide delivery from Blessing Muzarabani on the penultimate ball of the innings, ending a knock that featured 16 fours and 10 sixes.  

"It was one of those days, a few things went my way and I hit a few in the middle which was nice," Finch said at the mid-innings break.

Image Id: 84FCF07638384CF8813E77FC825DD10C Image Caption: Finch raced to triple figures // cricket.com.au

He was just three runs short of the highest ever 20-over score - a mammoth 175no scored by Chris Gayle for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League in 2013.

Finch was captain of the Pune Warriors in that match and said he was aware of the record.

"I sure did (know about it)," he said. He's a great player and he deserves it (the record)."

Finch's knock continued what's been a ridiculous year in T20s already for the 31-year-old, who has carved out 398 runs at the astonishing average of 199, with a strike rate of 218.68 in 2018 to date.

The powerful right-hander has only been dismissed once in matches against England, New Zealand and Pakistan this year, notching scores of 20no, 36no, 18no, 84 and 68no before his record-breaking antics against Zimbabwe. 

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: Australia beat Pakistan by 9 wickets

July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe

July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

July 5: Pakistan vs Australia

July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe

July 8: Final