Australia opener Aaron Finch has surged into the record books by posting the highest individual score by any batsman in T20 internationals.

Finch broke his own record of 156 against England in 2013 by hitting 172 in Harare, a knock which came off 76 balls and included 16 fours and 10 sixes.

Skippering Australia in the Tri-series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan, Finch also eclipsed the record for the highest opening stand by combining for 223 runs with D’Arcy Short at the other end.

A stand which smashed the 171-run partnership made by Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson for New Zealand against Pakistan in Hamilton in 2016.

The scorecard was a sorry looking one for the hosts with four bowlers claiming an economy rate over 13.00.

That has put Australia in a position of strength to claim a second win from as many matches in the African nation, with Australia finishing on 229-2 after their 20 overs.

Zimbabwe have failed to show a shade of Finch’s feat as the Australia bowlers share the wickets – Andrew Tye the most impressive with the ball by taking 3-5 from his three overs.

Hamilton Masakadza’s side are 122-8 with two overs remaining at the time of writing.