PERTH (Web Desk) – Pakistan has defeated Australia in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) with their first series victory Down Under since 2002.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to field first, targeting to capitalize on Australia’s depleted lineup as the hosts have rested key players Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith ahead of their Test series against India.
Matthew Short held on to his end for a cautious 20-run knock from 30 balls as he watched two more wickets wasted on the other end.
Haris Rauf finished Short’s innings in the 14th over to reduce Australia to 72-4. Meanwhile, Cooper Connolly (7) was retired hurt after getting struck on his left hand by Mohammad Hasnain while attempting a pull.
Marcus Stoinis (8) and Glenn Maxwell (0) also fell in quick succession, leaving Australia reeling at 88-6 in 20.3 overs.
Shaheen and Naseem led Pakistan’s bowling attack and they took three wickets each. Meanwhile, Haris bagged two and Hasnain managed one wicket.
In reply, Saim Ayub (42) and Abdullah Shafique (37), fresh off half-centuries, played with fluency and controlled aggression during an 84-run opening stand.
Local speedster Lance Morris (2-24) sent both set batsmen packing in the 18th over to give the crowd of 19,781 something to cheer about, leaving Rizwan (30 not out) and Babar Azam (28 not out) to seal the result.
“Our whole batting lineup actually didn’t get going at all throughout the series,” Inglis told reporters.
Pakistan’s momentum comes from a resounding nine-wicket victory in Adelaide on Friday, after a narrow loss in the series opener on November 4.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed an unchanged lineup for the series decider.
