Pakistan won the Pakistan vs Australia ODI series 2-1 after defeating Australia by four wickets in the third and final match at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
The victory marked Pakistan’s third consecutive ODI win over the six-time world champions and sealed a hard-earned series triumph on home soil.
Chasing a modest target of 158, Pakistan made an uncertain start when opener Sahibzada Farhan fell for six in the third over. Maaz Sadaqat then played an aggressive knock of 27 from 26 balls, including five boundaries, before Matthew Short trapped him lbw.
After the early setbacks, Babar Azam anchored the innings and built important partnerships with Ghazi Ghori, Salman Ali Agha and Arafat Minhas. The former captain scored a patient 40 off 84 deliveries, striking three fours before Matthew Kuhnemann dismissed him in the 30th over.
Pakistan’s chase became difficult when Arafat Minhas departed for nine, leaving the hosts at 112/6. However, Shadab Khan and Abdul Samad remained calm under pressure and guided the team home with an unbeaten 49-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Shadab finished unbeaten on 29 from 42 balls, while Abdul Samad contributed 18 not out from 30 deliveries as Pakistan reached the target in the 42nd over.
For Australia, Matthew Kuhnemann was the most successful bowler with figures of 3/38 in 10 overs. Nathan Ellis, Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, Australia’s decision to bat first failed to pay off as the visitors were bowled out for 157 in 42 overs.
Pakistan struck immediately when Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Matthew Short for a duck on the second ball of the innings. Marnus Labuschagne and captain Josh Inglis steadied the innings with a 46-run partnership before Labuschagne was run out for 19 following a direct hit from Arafat Minhas.
Josh Inglis then added 52 runs with Alex Carey for the third wicket. Carey scored 19 before Haris Rauf removed him. Inglis continued to fight and top-scored with 65 off 71 balls, hitting eight fours and a six.
Australia’s innings lost momentum when Shaheen dismissed both Inglis and Cameron Green in the same over. Abrar Ahmed then removed Matt Renshaw and Cooper Connolly in successive spells to tighten Pakistan’s grip on the match.
Shadab Khan ended his ODI wicket drought with the dismissal of Oliver Peake and later cleaned up Adam Zampa. A run-out of Matthew Kuhnemann brought Australia’s innings to an end.
Shaheen led Pakistan’s bowling attack with impressive figures of 3/30 in eight overs. Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed took two wickets each, while Haris Rauf picked up one.
