Pakistan overcame a tricky turning wicket to beat Australia by four wickets in the third and final one-day international in Lahore on Thursday, securing a 2-1 series victory. Chasing a modest target of 158, the hosts reached 161-6 in 41.5 overs after Australia had been dismissed for 157 in 42 overs—their lowest ODI total in Pakistan.
Match Summary
All-rounder Shadab Khan, who earlier took 2-28 with the ball, remained unbeaten on 29, while Abdul Samad contributed 18 not out to see Pakistan home. Australia had won the second game by 41 runs at the same venue to level the series, while Pakistan won the first match in Rawalpindi by five wickets on spin-friendly pitches.
Australia's Innings
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia's captain Josh Inglis scored 65 off 71 balls for his second successive half-century. However, the rest of the batting lineup collapsed, with no other batter surpassing 19. Pakistan's pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed 3-30, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed took 2-19. The visitors lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf started the collapse by bowling Alex Carey for 19 in the 23rd over. Afridi then struck twice in one over with the old ball, dismissing Inglis and Cameron Green in the 27th over. Cooper Connolly, who replaced Tanveer Sangha for the series decider, lasted only 12 balls for 3 before being bowled around his legs attempting a ramp shot against Abrar.
Shadab Khan finally broke his wicketless streak in his last five ODIs by removing Oliver Peake and Adam Zampa. The tail folded quickly, with last man Nathan Ellis run out.
Pakistan's Chase
Pakistan's chase was steady but not without hiccups. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann (3-38) pushed Australia's hopes when he clean bowled top-scorer Babar Azam for 40 in the 30th over, leaving Pakistan at 112-6. However, Shadab and Samad showed great patience on the abrasive pitch before Shadab smashed Adam Zampa to the long-on boundary for the winning runs.
The series victory marks a strong performance for Pakistan on spin-friendly pitches, while Australia will look to regroup ahead of their next assignment.
