Australia suffered a series defeat against Pakistan for the third consecutive time, with a dreadful run out summing up the tourists' misery in the decisive third ODI. Pakistan thrashed the under-strength Australian lineup to chase down the target in just 41.5 overs, securing a 2-1 series victory.
Inglis top-scores but Australia collapse
Australian captain Josh Inglis top-scored with a 71-ball 65, including eight boundaries and a six. Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey scored 19 each, while Adam Zampa made 10. However, Australia lost their last seven wickets for a meagre 38 runs, with two run outs hurting their innings.
Labuschagne's dismissal sums up the misery
Labuschagne's dismissal in the 12th over was a particularly bad look when he and Inglis got their signals crossed. Inglis appeared to have turned his back on Labuschagne and showed no interest in a second run, despite Labuschagne comfortably darting to the non-striker's end following a back foot drive to long off. The No. 3 batsman turned and sprinted back to the striker's end but was well short after Arafat Minhas produced a direct hit. Labuschagne did not immediately get back to his feet and appeared absolutely filthy as he walked off shaking his head.
Pakistan's bowling unit took control from there, with spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi taking 3-30 to bundle Australia out for 157. Shadab Khan added a fighting 29 not out to his two wickets, helping Pakistan to victory with 49 balls remaining.
Pakistan's third successive series win
This gave Pakistan a 2-1 series win, their third successive ODI series victory over Australia, after they won the first match by five wickets in Rawalpindi. Australia won the second match by 41 runs in Lahore but never looked in the contest on Thursday night.
Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann's career-best 3-38, including the wicket of Babar Azam for 40, gave the visitors some hope of an unlikely win. At 112-6, Pakistan were in a spot of bother, but Shadab found an able partner in Abdul Samad as the duo added a match-winning 49 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket stand. Shadab's second boundary sealed the win, while Samad's 18 not out included one boundary.
Shaheen praises team effort
Shaheen praised a complete team effort. "All bowlers executed plans well to keep Australia down to 157," said Shaheen. "The conditions were tough for the batters but the players put in a great effort."
Inglis praised his team despite the loss. "I think it was a complete team effort throughout the series," he said. "I thought the bowlers and the fielding group made a great effort to put us in a position to potentially win the game, but it wasn't to be in the end. We have some young and inexperienced guys so it's a great learning experience for them."
Earlier, Shaheen was ably supported by Abrar Ahmed (2-19) and Shadab (2-28) as Australia's innings folded in 42 overs after they won the toss and batted. Spinners Abrar and Shadab built on Shaheen's early strikes as Pakistan made a strong comeback after a disappointing loss in the second game.
