The Australian skipper smashed an astonishing 172 during the 100-run tri-series victory over Zimbabwe on Tuesday, topping his previous mark of 156 against England in 2013.

He is the only player to bring up 150 in a T20I, having done it twice.

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

Finch's innings came from 76 balls - the most number faced by a batsman in T20Is - and included 10 sixes and 16 fours.

It wasn't just individual records tumbling as Finch combined with opening partner D'Arcy Short for a 223-run stand - the highest partnership in T20Is.

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

That knock is imprinted in Finch's brain as he was captain of the Pune Warriors on that night when Gayle went ballistic for the opposing Royal Challengers Bangalore.

"He's (Gayle) a great player and he deserves it (the record)," Finch said.

"It's nice to break my own record (in T20Is). It was satisfying.

"It's something I'll look back on when I finish playing and be really proud of.

"I was just trying to make my way in international cricket (back in 2013) and had a day out and got lucky in England.

"I'm a little bit older and little bit wiser now and I think looking back on it in time will be nice."

Finch was dismissed two balls before the completion of Australia's innings in a rare case of hitting his own wicket.

Short departed two balls earlier for 46, meaning Finch contributed 75.1 per cent of Australia's total.

The knock takes Finch's T20I career average to 47.81, sitting only behind Pakistan's Babar Azam (53.00) and Indian captain Virat Kohli (48.58).

Australia finished their 20 overs on 2-229, setting Zimbabwe a target they were never going to chase down.

The hosts avoided being bowled out at 9-129, with Andrew Tye (3-12) the pick of the Australian bowlers.

It was Australia's first win against Zimbabwe in T20s after being upset in their only previous meeting at the 2007 World Cup.

Australia carried on from where they left off against Pakistan on Monday after opening their campaign with a nine-wicket victory.

Finch's team has secured their place in Sunday's decider, likely against Pakistan, ahead of their final two games on Thursday and Friday.

Australian Associated Press