Finch's record-breaking knock propels Australia to tri-nation final

Australia T20 International skipper Aaron Finch bettered his highest individual T20I score when he played a scintillating 172-run knock to lead his side to a 100-run win over hosts Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club here on Tuesday.

Finch took just 76 deliveries and smacked 16 boundaries and 10 sixes, to eclipse his own world record.

Put into bat, Australia rode on Finch's innings to put a mammoth 229 runs on board against the hosts.

Finch and D Arcy Short were also involved in a 223 run-stand for the opening wicket, which is now the highest partnership in T20I cricket.

Chasing the mammoth score, Zimbabwe succumbed before the Australian bowlers as they managed a meagre 129 runs in their 20 overs losing nine wickets.

Andrew Tye bagged three wickets conceding 12 runs while Ashton Agar scalped two giving 16 runs.

With this win, Australia have entered the final of the tri-nation series while the winner between Zimbabwe and Pakistan in Wednesday's game will determine the other finalist.

--IANS

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