Finch smashes T20I record score in Harare

Finch pulverised the Zimbabwean attack in the second match of a Tri Series which also involves Pakistan, hitting his 172 runs from just 76 deliveries

^{Aaron Finch in action for Australia}

Aaron Finch has obliterated his own T20 international record score with a sensational 172 against Zimbabwe in Harare.

Finch pulverised the Zimbabwean attack in the third match of a Tri Series which also involves Pakistan, hitting his runs from just 76 deliveries.

In doing so, he broke his previous best of 156, made against England in 2013, as Australia accumulated 229 for two having been put in to bat.

Finch was dismissed in the final over of the innings hit wicket off Blessing Muzarabani, bringing to an end an innings which included 16 fours and 10 sixes.

He finished three runs shy of the all-time world record T20 score of 175, made by Chris Gayle in the 2013 Indian Premier League.

Finch and D'Arcy Short almost took Australia through their entire innings without losing a wicket, putting on 223 before Short - who made 46 from 42 balls - was dismissed with four deliveries remaining.

Their stand is the highest ever by any pair in T20 internationals, surpassing the 171 put on by Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill for New Zealand against Pakistan in 2016.