PERTH: Pakistan achieved a historic One-Day International (ODI) series victory over Aussies on Australian soil for the first time in 22 years, with a commanding win at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday.
Pakistan last defeated the Kangaroos in an ODI series in 2002, when Waqar Younis’ side made a similar comeback after a first defeat and won the series 2-1.
Chasing a modest target, Pakistan’s openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique carried their form and laid a solid foundation before Shafique was dismissed by Morris. He scored 37 runs off 53 balls, while Saim Ayub made 42 runs.
The Men in Green chased the target in 26.5 overs to bag an eight-wicket win in the series decider.
The winning runs came off the bat of former captain Babar Azam, as he struck Adam Zampa for an four on long-on. He hits the winning runs for the second consecutive match. Pakistan win the series 2-1, outclassing Australia comprehensively in their own backyard.
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Pakistan’s bowlers dismantled Australia’s batting lineup in the third and deciding ODI of the series at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday.
The hosts only managed to set a target of 141 runs for the team in green shirts to win a series in Australia against after Kangaroos 22 years .
Captain Mohammad Rizwan’s decision to field first after winning the toss in the series decider, tied at 1-1, proved successful as Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf dismissed the Australian batters.
Australia got off to a shaky start in their innings during the third and series-deciding ODI at Optus Stadium, as young opener Jake Fraser-McGurk (7) was dismissed by Naseem Shah in the fourth over, with just 20 runs on the board.
His opening partner, Matthew Short, fought hard and formed brief partnerships with Aaron Hardie (12) and Josh Inglis (7) before finally being dismissed in the 14th over. Short made 22 runs off 30 balls, including one boundary.
The home side suffered another blow when batting all-rounder Cooper Connolly was retired hurt after scoring just seven runs.
Australia’s batting woes continued as Glenn Maxwell (0) and Marcus Stoinis (8) were dismissed in quick succession, leaving the hosts struggling at 88/6 in 20.3 overs.
However, Adam Zampa and Sean Abbott steadied the ship with a crucial 30-run partnership, taking Australia’s total past the 100-run mark. Zampa made a gritty 13 off 22 deliveries before being dismissed by Naseem in the 27th over.
Abbott then added another important 22 runs for the eighth wicket with Spencer Johnson, who remained unbeaten on 12 off 12 balls.
Abbott was Australia’s top scorer with a fighting 30 off 41 balls, hitting two fours and a six.
Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah were the standout bowlers for Pakistan, claiming three wickets each. Haris Rauf took two wickets, while Mohammad Hasnain picked up one.
With the series tied at 1-1, this match is a crucial decider for both teams.
Pak vs AUS head-to-head
Pakistan and Australia have met 110 times in One Day Internationals. with the six-time World Cup champions holding a dominant edge, winning 71 matches compared to Pakistan’s 35.
Australia’s record in ODIs on home soil is equally strong, having won 38 of their 58 encounters, while Pakistan has secured 18 victories in Australia.
Pakistan will play three ODIs and as many T20Is against Australia before traveling to Zimbabwe for a bilateral white-ball cricket series.
The Australia tour will run from November 4 to 18, while the matches in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, will be played from November 24 to December 5.
This is Pakistan’s first ODI series after its group stage exit from the 2023 World Cup. On the other hand, Australia last played an ODI series in September, defeating arch-rivals England 3-2 in a five-match series.
PLAYING XIs
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain.
Australia: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (capt, wk), Cooper Connolly, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Lance Morris.
