Aaron Finch has smashed his own record for the highest Twenty20 international score, blasting an astonishing 172 in Australia’s tri-series match against Zimbabwe.

The Australian skipper passed his previous mark of 156 in the 18th over, which he set against England in 2013.

Finch continued his rich vein of form on Tuesday as he combined with opening partner D’Arcy Short to put on an opening stand of 223 – the highest partnership in T20 Internationals history.

Short was out for 46 with four balls left in the innings at Harare Sports Club, while Finch was dismissed two balls later by hitting his own wicket.

The 31-year-old was only three runs behind West Indian Chris Gayle’s highest Twenty20 score of 175, which he compiled in the 2013 Indian Premier League.

Australia finished its 20 overs on 2-229, setting Zimbabwe a near impossible target.

Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis were left to see out the innings.

Australia carried on from where it left off against Pakistan on Monday after opening the series with a nine-wicket victory.

Defending its big total, Australia restricted Zimbabwe to 9-129 from its 20 overs to set up a 100-run win.

Andrew Tye was Australia’s best with the ball, claiming 3-12 from his four overs. Ashton Agar chipped in with 2-16 off four overs.

It comes after Australia was on the other end of a one-day series whitewash in England.

Behind Finch’s two top scores, Maxwell is next on the all-time T20I record list after he belted an unbeaten 145 against Sri Lanka in 2016.

-AAP