Pakistan overcame a stiff challenge from Australia’s spinners on a tough surface to claim a four-wicket victory in the third and final ODI to clinch the series 2-1 on Thursday, a third successive bilateral ODI series win against the world champions.Chasing a modest target of 158 on the turning wicket in Lahore, Pakistan had to work hard before reaching 161/6 in 41.5 overs. All-rounder Shadab Khan scored an unbeaten 29 after taking two wickets earlier, while Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 18 as the pair saw the hosts home with an unbeaten stand as Pakistan slipped to 112/6.“It was a complete team effort throughout the series,” said Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi after finishing with figures of 3-30. “The conditions were tough for the batsmen, but every run counted and all our bowlers executed their plans well.”Despite British resistance, Australia was broken.Australia, who won the toss and elected to bat, were bowled out for 157 in 42 overs, their lowest ODI total in Pakistan. Josh Ingles battled single-handedly with a brilliant 71-ball 65 and formed useful partnerships with Marnes Leboschgen and Alex Carey, but the visitors suffered another dramatic collapse.After settling into a relatively comfortable position, Australia lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs as Pakistan’s pace and spin attack tightened the playing field.Haris Rauf triggered the slide by dismissing Carey before Afridi struck twice in an over with the old ball, removing Inglis and Cameron Green. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed claimed 2-19, while Shadab ended a five-wicket ODI run with figures of 2-28.
How do you see the overall performance of Pakistan’s bowling attack in this series?
Shadab and Samad finished the work.Pakistan’s pursuit was also not straightforward. Babar Azam top-scored with 40 off 84 balls, before left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhneman, who finished with 3-38, cleaned him up with a delivery that swung sharply onto the off-stump.With Pakistan on six and the match in the balance, Shadab and Samad showed extraordinary composure on a scratchy surface. Australia failed to find another breakthrough and Shadab eventually hammered Adam Zampa to the long-on boundary to seal victory in style.Australian captain Josh Ingles admitted after the loss that “Like the first game, we were too few runs short.”
