Pakistan Beat Australia by 4 Wickets to Clinch ODI Series 2-1
News Desk
Lahore: Pakistan defeated Australia by four wickets in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, to seal the three-match series 2-1.
Chasing a modest target of 158, Pakistan reached 158-6 in 41.5 overs, overcoming a tense middle-order collapse thanks to an unbeaten seventh-wicket partnership between Shadab Khan and Abdul Samad.
Earlier, Australia, after winning the toss and electing to bat, were bowled out for just 157 runs in 42 overs. The total marked Australia’s lowest ODI score on Pakistani soil.
The visitors struggled throughout their innings as Pakistan’s bowlers maintained pressure and struck at regular intervals. Australian captain Josh Inglis was the lone bright spot, scoring 65 runs. Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey contributed 19 runs each, while Adam Zampa added 10.
Seven Australian batters failed to reach double figures. Cameron Green and Ollie Peake scored seven runs each, while Matt Short was dismissed without opening his account.
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Pakistan’s bowling attack was led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who claimed three crucial wickets. Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan picked up two wickets apiece, while the remaining bowlers supported effectively to restrict Australia to a below-par total.
In reply, Pakistan got off to a shaky start. Opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for six runs, while Moaz Sadaqat provided early momentum with a brisk 27-run knock. After the openers departed with the score at 41, Ghazi Ghauri was dismissed for eight, leaving Pakistan at 60-3.
Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha steadied the innings with a 33-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Salman scored 16 before being dismissed with the total on 93.
Babar then added 19 runs with Arafat Minhas, but Pakistan came under pressure when the former captain was bowled by Matthew Kuhnemann after scoring 40 runs off 85 deliveries. Soon after, Arafat Minhas fell for nine, leaving Pakistan struggling at 112-6.
With the match finely balanced, Shadab Khan and Abdul Samad displayed composure and maturity under pressure. The pair stitched together an unbeaten 49-run stand for the seventh wicket to guide Pakistan home with 49 balls remaining.
Shadab remained unbeaten on 29, while Abdul Samad finished on 18 not out as Pakistan secured a memorable victory and the series.
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For Australia, Matthew Kuhnemann was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Nathan Ellis, Matt Short and Matt Renshaw claimed one wicket each.
The toss was delayed by 15 minutes due to rain and strong winds in Lahore. Australian captain Josh Inglis won the toss and opted to bat first. Australia made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Cooper Connolly in place of Tanveer Sangha, while Pakistan retained the same team.
Speaking at the toss, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi expressed confidence in his bowling attack and said the spinners would receive assistance from the surface despite earlier rain.
The victory gives Pakistan its third consecutive ODI series win over Australia. Pakistan had previously defeated Australia 2-1 at home in 2022 and repeated the feat on Australian soil in November 2024.
Historically, Australia still hold a significant advantage in ODI cricket. The two sides have now met 113 times, with Australia winning 72 matches and Pakistan 37, while three matches ended without a result and one was tied.
However, Pakistan’s latest triumph under Shaheen Shah Afridi’s leadership further strengthens the team’s impressive recent record against the five-time world champions.
