Dubai: Pakistan easily beat Australia by seven wickets with 22 balls to spare in the only Twenty20 match of their series at Dubai Sports City Stadium on Thursday.

Australia was all out for 108 in 19.5 overs, and Pakistan overhauled that with 109-3 in 16.2.

"It was a very good win for us, especially considering that the World Twenty20 Cup is just around the corner," said Pakistan stand-in captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

Kamran Akmal, who scored a century in Pakistan's consolation win in the last of the five one day internationals on Sunday, starred again with an unbeaten 59 in 42 balls. He had the calm support of Misbah, who was out for 24 when the scores were level. They added 85 for the third wicket.

Earlier, paceman Umar Gul taking 4-8 in his four overs but it was legspinner Shahid Afridi who inflicted the major damage with three crucial wickets for 14 runs.

"Shahid and Gul bowled really well and set up the win for us," Misbah said. "They brought us back into the match with some very good bowling. And then Kamran continued his batting form from the last ODI."

Australia was off to a good start with Twenty20 specialist Shane Watson putting on 42 runs for the first wicket with stand-in captain Brad Haddin in the first four overs. But when he was removed by Gul for 33 in 14 balls, nobody could put up any substantial resistance.

Afridi removed James Hopes (6) and Andrew Symonds (0) off successive deliveries, both out leg before wicket, and when he clean bowled Haddin for 24 nearly halfway through its innings, Australia was down to 69-4.

"We were completely outplayed by Pakistan," Haddin said. "Nothing really happened for us after the sixth over.

"Hopefully, we will play much better in the World Twenty20 Cup (next month in England). It is a bit hard to maintain the momentum at the end of the series for a T20 game, but when you go into a tournament like the World Twenty20 Cup, the focus is always there. I am sure we will be a different side there."

Regular Pakistan captain Younis Khan rested himself to give a chance to youngster Fawad Alam, who didn't bowl or bat, while Australia recalled fast bowler Brett Lee after ankle surgery in January. Lee took 1-22 off four.

This was only the second Twenty20 encounter between the teams. Pakistan won that group match in the 2007 World Twenty20 Cup. Pakistan also enjoy a much better record in the shortest format of the game, winning 13 of their 16 matches. Australia have won 11 of 20.