Maxwell reveals story behind fifty celebration

Glenn Maxwell has revealed the unusual celebration of his fourth T20 International half-century was an ode to Australia head coach Justin Langer.

Maxwell's 56 from just 38 balls powered Australia to a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe, and his knock was testament to the work he's done off the field.

Upon reaching 50, Maxwell pointed two fingers to his eyes as he raised his bat towards the Australian dressing rooms, a small tribute to the simple message Langer has preached.

Image Id: 4A1ED841E24A45AA8E3DAA8F3583B7AD Image Caption: 'Watch the ball': Maxwell's fifty celebration // Cricket.com.au

"I've been doing a fair bit of work with (Justin Langer) recently about making sure I was watching the ball as hard as I can," Langer said.

"I've been doing a lot of work in the nets making sure I'm really concentrating and that's all I'm thinking about at the moment. It was just a little gesture towards him."

Image Id: 1D21974872B54E3EBDD85980B5B72014 Image Caption: 'It was just a little gesture towards (Langer)' // Cricket.com.au

Maxwell had been starved off time in the middle having faced just one ball in the first two matches before being worked over and trapped leg before by young Pakistani quick Shaheen Afridi in Thursday's match.

But it was a stunning return to form from Maxwell on Friday, smashing five sixes on the Harare Sports Club ground and targeting the spin bowlers.

"The off-spinner came on after I'd been out there for about four or five overs so that was the time for me to go," Maxwell said. 

"Luckily I hit it over the ropes a few times and I was able to get some momentum.

"It was nice to spend a bit of time in the middle and get a bit of momentum with my batting."

Maxwell and Travis Head combined for a century stand after Alex Carey and Aaron Finch both departed early.

The knock was also Head's first meaningful contribution with the bat in Zimbabwe and Maxwell was full of praise for Australia's incumbent No.3 batsman.

"(Head) takes pressure off you with the way he plays, he hits the ball in different areas and puts a bit of pressure back on the bowler," Maxwell said.

"For me and him to put on a good partnership, we've done it a few times not just in T20s but in one day cricket.

"(We) put a bit of pressure on the field and run hard, (it) was good fun."

Australia next face Pakistan in Sunday's T20 tri-series final, having split their two matches in Harare this week.

Maxwell remains wary of the ICC's top ranked T20 team, but is optimistic Australia can claim their second piece of T20 silverware this year.

"This is the No.1 team we're going to be going up against in the final and I know we've had a bit of recent success in tri-series with our win in Australia and New Zealand."

"If we can continue to win tri-series regardless of where it is and who's playing, it just breeds a good culture in the side."

Qantas Tour of Zimbabwe

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

Pakistan squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sahibzada Farhan.

Zimbabwe squad: Hamilton Masakadza (c), Cephas Zhuwao, Chamu Chibhabha, Brian Chari, Tarisai Musakanda, Malcolm Waller, PJ Moor, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Mpofu, Ryan Burl, Solomon Mire, Wellington Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Ryan Murray

July 1: Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 74 runs

July 2: Australia beat Pakistan by 9 wickets

July 3: Australia beat Zimbabwe by 100 runs

July 4: Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 7 wickets

July 5: Pakistan beat Australia by 45 runs

July 6: Australia beat Zimbabwe by 5 wickets

July 8: Final