Pakistan Make It Three Consecutive ODI Series Wins Over Australia
LAHORE: Pakistan secured a hard-fought four-wicket win over Australia in the third and deciding ODI at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, sealing the three-match series 2-1. The victory also marked Pakistan’s third successive ODI series triumph over the six-time world champions.
Shadab Khan played a decisive role in the win, first delivering an economical spell of 2/28 and then remaining unbeaten with a composed 29 during a crucial run chase.
Chasing a modest target of 158, Pakistan suffered an early setback when Sahibzada Farhan departed for six in the third over. Maaz Sadaqat responded positively with an aggressive 27 off 26 balls, including five boundaries, before being trapped lbw by Matthew Short.
Babar Azam then anchored the innings, adding useful partnerships with Ghazi Ghori, Salman Ali Agha and Arafat Minhas. However, Pakistan’s progress remained slow as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Babar top-scored with a patient 40 from 84 deliveries before being dismissed by Matthew Kuhnemann.
When Arafat Minhas was removed shortly afterward, Pakistan found themselves struggling at 112/6. At that stage, Shadab Khan and Abdul Samad steadied the innings with a match-winning unbroken stand of 49 runs. Shadab finished on 29 not out, while Samad contributed an unbeaten 18 as Pakistan reached the target in the 42nd over.
For Australia, Kuhnemann was the standout bowler with figures of 3/38, while Nathan Ellis, Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, Australia’s decision to bat first failed to produce the desired result as they were bowled out for 157 in 42 overs.
Pakistan struck immediately when Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Matthew Short for a duck in the opening over. Marnus Labuschagne and captain Josh Inglis attempted to rebuild the innings with a 46-run partnership before Labuschagne was run out for 19 following a direct hit from Arafat Minhas.
Inglis continued to hold the innings together and added 52 runs with Alex Carey for the third wicket. Carey made 19 before Haris Rauf broke the stand. Australia then suffered a major collapse as Shaheen removed both Inglis and Cameron Green in the same over.
Inglis remained Australia’s highest scorer with a determined 65 off 71 balls, striking eight fours and a six.
Pakistan’s spinners tightened their grip in the latter stages. Abrar Ahmed dismissed Matt Renshaw and Cooper Connolly in quick succession, while Shadab Khan ended his ODI wicket drought by removing Oliver Peake before later cleaning up Adam Zampa. Matthew Kuhnemann’s run out brought Australia’s innings to an end.
Shaheen led Pakistan’s bowling effort with impressive figures of 3/30, while Shadab and Abrar claimed two wickets apiece. Haris Rauf also chipped in with one wicket as Pakistan restricted Australia to a below-par total and completed a memorable series victory.
