LAHORE (MNN); Pakistan clinched the three-match One-Day International series 2-1 after registering a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Australia in the third and final ODI at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
The win marked Pakistan’s third consecutive ODI triumph over the six-time world champions, with all-rounder Shadab Khan playing a decisive role through his contributions with both bat and ball.
Chasing a modest target of 158 runs, Pakistan suffered an early setback when opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for six with the score at 27 in the third over.
Young opener Maaz Sadaqat then added 14 runs for the second wicket alongside Babar Azam before being trapped leg-before-wicket by Matthew Short in the eighth over. Sadaqat scored a brisk 27 off 26 balls, striking five boundaries during his innings.
Babar Azam anchored Pakistan’s chase and built useful partnerships with Ghazi Ghori, Salman Ali Agha and Arafat Minhas. However, Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with Babar eventually falling to Matthew Kuhnemann in the 30th over after scoring a patient 40 off 84 deliveries, including three fours.
Pakistan’s troubles deepened when Arafat Minhas was caught in the slips off Matt Renshaw, leaving the hosts struggling at 112-6.
At a crucial stage, Shadab Khan and Abdul Samad displayed composure and maturity, putting together an unbeaten 49-run partnership for the seventh wicket to steer Pakistan to victory in the 42nd over.
Shadab remained unbeaten on 29 from 42 balls, while Abdul Samad contributed an unbeaten 18 off 30 deliveries.
For Australia, Matthew Kuhnemann was the most successful bowler, claiming three wickets for 38 runs in his allotted 10 overs. Nathan Ellis, Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw took one wicket each.
Earlier, Australia captain Josh Inglis elected to bat first, but the decision failed to deliver the desired results as the tourists were bowled out for 157 in 42 overs.
Pakistan struck immediately when skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed opener Matthew Short for a duck on the second ball of the innings.
Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis attempted to rebuild the innings with a cautious 46-run partnership before Labuschagne was run out for 19 following a direct hit from Arafat Minhas.
Inglis then shared a 52-run stand with Alex Carey for the third wicket. Carey scored 19 before being dismissed by Haris Rauf in the 22nd over.
Australia’s innings suffered a major collapse when Shaheen removed both Josh Inglis and Cameron Green in the 27th over. Inglis top-scored for the visitors with a fighting 65 off 71 balls, including eight fours and one six, while Green managed only seven runs.
The middle and lower order failed to provide resistance as Abrar Ahmed dismissed Matt Renshaw and Cooper Connolly in successive overs. Shadab Khan also ended his ODI wicket drought by removing Oliver Peake before later bowling Adam Zampa. Matthew Kuhnemann was run out, bringing Australia’s innings to a disappointing end.
Shaheen led Pakistan’s bowling attack with impressive figures of 3 for 30 in eight overs. Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed picked up two wickets each, while Haris Rauf claimed one scalp.
The comprehensive team effort enabled Pakistan to secure the series and continue their strong recent record against Australia in the ODI format.
